Question

The nurse teaches a well-baby class to a group of parents with toddlers. The nurse should encourage the parents to do which of the following?

1) Exercise their children daily.
2) Use a playpen whenever possible.
3) Provide a safe play area for their children.
4) Teach their children noncompetitive activities.

Answer 1

The nurse should advise parents to provide a safe play area and encourage daily exercise, which supports children's physical, mental, and emotional health while preventing childhood obesity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should encourage the parents to provide their children with a safe play area. This aligns with the guidance from healthcare professionals that stress the importance of physical activity and the developmental benefits of play in early childhood. By engaging in regular physical exercise, children gain from not only a healthier heart and brain but also an increase in their enjoyment of physical activity, which can help stave off childhood obesity.

It is beneficial for the nurse to advise the parents of toddlers to exercise their children daily, as it promotes fitness and good health. Additionally, nurturing noncompetitive activities can foster an environment where children learn cooperation and rule-following. However, the use of a playpen should be balanced with opportunities for explorative and direct experiences in a safe outdoor environment, as recommended in the literature on healthy child development and physical activity for children.