About the Author

Connie Jo Smith serves as the administrator for a ten-county child care resource and referral agency. She holds a doctoral degree in instructional technology and distance education and has an education specialist's degree focusing on curriculum instruction for young children.

Charlotte M. Hendricks is a certified health education specialist and president and founder of Healthy Childcare Consultants, Inc. She has been promoting health education for young children, parents, and teachers for more than thirty years. She completed her doctoral degree in health and safety at Indiana University, USA.

Becky S. Bennett is the director for the career services centre at Western Kentucky University, USA. She provides workshops in the areas of technology, career planning, and social and emotional development. Dr. Bennett holds a doctoral degree in instructional technology and distance education and a master's degree in counsellor education.

Reviews

"As an early childhood educator, I am always looking for new ideas for teaching preschoolers healthy habits that will serve them throughout life. This curriculum offers exactly what a busy teacher needs to provide a comprehensive health curriculum."
--Marna Holland, EdD, CFCS, licensed teacher in birth-kindergarten, physical education, health education, and family and consumer sciences "The books in the Growing, Growing Strong series provide a comprehensive resource for providers and teachers when supporting children in learning more about themselves, each other, and their communities. Children are given freedom to explore the topics, ask questions, and interact with items that help them problem solve and build their understanding. All of the material is presented in a way that is very respectful to individual preferences, experiences, fears, interests, and cultures."
--Patricia Dischler, author of From Babysitter to Business Owner and Teaching the 3 Cs: Creativity, Curiosity & Courtesy, president of the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and nationally recognized speaker "You will never run out of resources or ideas on how to help children be safe, fit, and healthy. The authors wisely include tips and activities for families to do at home. Easy to follow and easy to use, this book is easy to like."
--Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD, author, keynote speaker, adjunct instructor at Wheelock College, and BAM Radio Network host "This series gives teachers the tools to help children begin to make informed choices based on the hows and whys of a healthy lifestyle and leaves the door wide open for partnerships with families and community members."
--Beth Schaeffer, preschool consultant, Warren County Public Schools in Bowling Green, KY "This series makes it easy for teachers to integrate comprehensive health education into the existing curriculum. The authors, with massive experience in various aspects of child health education, have accomplished their goal well."
--S. D. Palmer, MD, Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Past President, Alabama Chapter, AAP "This entire curriculum is so easy to use and full of practical uses of materials and ideas. Teachers will love and appreciate the incorporation of all academic areas into this health curriculum. It's a must have!"
--Sherri R. Meyer, Masters of Art in Education, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE), and adjunct faculty at Western Kentucky University "The comprehensiveness of the topics covered in the updated series is current in their approach with related research, ideas, best practices, and good common sense. No guilt anywhere! Congratulations to Connie Jo Smith, Charlotte M. Hendricks, and Becky S. Bennett for designing and creating a healthy menu of ideas and resources that teachers, families, and others case use promptly."
--Luis Hernandez, MA, T/TAS at WKU, early childhood education specialist, acclaimed keynote speaker, interactive learning facilitator, and author "The authors have carefully woven issues of culture, language, and special needs throughout the curriculum and have found a way to address difficult topics (such as death, weapons, and drugs) in an appropriate, matter-of-fact manner that communicates confidence and not fear. This resource should be a part of every early childhood environment!"
--Alisa S. Ghazvini, PhD, early childhood consultant and former early childhood teacher and director "This comprehensive health curriculum provides all of the necessary tools for building a strong foundation of health awareness for young learners. The variety of multi-sensory activities suggested in this curriculum sets the stage for learners of all ability levels to grow in self-awareness."
--Beverly Zanchetti Smith, MEd, Ohio Statewide Consultant for the Early Intervention Grant: Bridging the Gap in Part C Early Intervention Service Delivery