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How to handle children.
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1. CHILDHOOD DISEASES
Childhood disease and disorder are any illness, impairment, or abnormal condition that affects
primarily infants and children—i.e., those in the age span that begins with the fetus and extends
through adolescence.
Almost all babies, toddlers and children will get the most common childhood illnesses like
chickenpox, colds, sore throats and ear infections, Asthma, Bronchiolitis etc.
Childhood diseases may be immunizable diseases or non-immunizable diseases.
A disease is any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism,
generally associated with certain signs and symptoms and differing in nature from physical injury.
A symptom is a manifestation of disease apparent to the patient himself, while a sign is a
manifestation of disease that the physician perceives. The sign is objective evidence of disease; a
symptom, subjective. Symptoms represent the complaints of the patient, and if severe, they drive
him to the doctor’s office.
IMMUNIZABLE DISEASES IN CHILDREN
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made resistant to a disease, typically by the
administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the
person against subsequent infection or disease.
The WHO defines immunization as “the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to
an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine.
Why Immunize?
Strengthen a child’s ability to fight diseases against the 11 childhood immunizable diseases
Reduce chances of children suffering from the 11 Childhood immunizable diseases.
Prevent lameness, blindness, liver disease, cancer of the cervix among others.
Contribute to a child’s proper growth and development.
Reduce costs in terms of time and money spent on treatment which contribute to Socio-
economic development.
Protect the woman and her future babies from Tetanus.
Vaccination is the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce protection from a specific
disease.
A vaccine is a preparation that is used to stimulate the body's immune response against diseases.
Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but some can be administered by
mouth or sprayed into the nose.
There are many types of vaccines used to immunize people against specific diseases and the main
ones include, attenuated (live) vaccines, inactivated vaccines, toxoid vaccines, subunit vaccines, and
conjugate vaccines.
Importantly, Vaccines work by teaching the body's immune system to recognize and defend against
harmful viruses or bacteria before getting an infection, and reduce the chance of getting certain
infectious diseases.

2. Immunizable diseases have increased worldwide over time due to discoveries of the new vaccines
against several diseases. In Uganda, there are 11 immunizable childhood diseases in Uganda
according to Ministry of Health which include the following;
Tuberculosis
Poliomyelitis
Whooping Cough
Diphtheria
Measles
Tetanus/Neonatal Tetanus
Hepatitis B infection
Cancer of the Cervix
Pneumococcal infections (pneumonia and meningitis)
Haemophilus Influenza
Diarrhea due to Rotavirus
IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
Immunization schedule is a time-table which tells us the different ages when vaccines need to be
given to an individual to ensure the best protective response e.g.,
OTHER COMMON CHILDHOOD DISEASES IN UGANDA
Almost all babies, toddlers and children will get the most common childhood illnesses like
chickenpox, colds, sore throats and ear infections. Read more about these conditions and other
childhood illnesses that include:

3. Asthma
Bronchiolitis
Chickenpox
Cold
Cough
Croup
Diarrhea and vomiting
Fever in children
Earache
Kawasaki disease
Meningitis
Mumps
Roseola
Rubella
Skin rashes in babies
Skin rashes in children
Scarlet fever
Sore throat
Whooping cough
Urinary tract infections in children
1.Colds & the Seasonal Flu
Colds and influenza are caused by viruses and are the most common childhood illness. Colds usually
last for a week or two, and the flu can last for several weeks. Both illnesses are contagious, so it’s
important to keep your child away from other children if they are sick.
2.Ear Infections
Ear infections are also caused by viruses and are one of the most common reasons why children see
a doctor. Ear infections can cause pain, fever, and problems with hearing. Most ear infections go
away on their own, but some may require antibiotics.
3.Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes swelling and inflammation of the throat. Strep throat
is contagious and can be passed from one person to another through coughing and sneezing. Most
cases of strep throat can be treated with antibiotics.
4.RSV

4. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the lungs and breathing passages and is the leading cause of
pneumonia in young children. It is also a common cause of bronchiolitis, which is an inflammation of
the small airways in the lungs. RSV usually goes away on its own, but some children may need to be
hospitalized if they have difficulty breathing.
5.Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Pneumonia
can cause fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can be dangerous, especially for
young children, so it’s important to see a doctor if your child has any symptoms.
6.Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis
can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other organisms. Meningitis is serious and can be deadly, so
it’s important to seek medical help immediately if your child has any symptoms.
7.Fever in children
8.Sinusitis
Sinusitis is the technical term for a sinus infection. It is caused by a build-up of fluid in the
sinuses, which allows germs (bacteria and viruses) to grow. Most cases of sinusitis are
caused by viruses. Symptoms include runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, pressure or pain in
the face, post-nasal drip (mucus dripping into the throat), sore throat, cough, and bad
breath
9. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HMFD) is very contagious but not usually very serious. According to
the CDC, it is most common in infants and children younger than five years old. However, older kids
and adults can get it. Symptoms include skin rash, fever, mouth sores, and flu-like symptoms
10.Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is also known as the stomach flu, but it is not the flu at all. But like the flu, it is caused
by a virus that can spread quickly. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Usually, the
symptoms pass within a couple of days and treatment includes rest and giving fluids to avoid
dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea.
11. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the colon (large intestine) and
causes symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. It is one of two major
types of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), the other of which is Crohn’s disease
Signs of serious illness in a baby or toddler
Here’s a checklist of warning signs that might be serious:
Temperature
A high temperature, but cold feet and hands
A high temperature that doesn’t come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
Your child is quiet and listless, even when their temperature is down
A high temperature in a baby less than 8 weeks old

5. Find out how to treat high temperature at home.
Breathing
Rapid breathing or panting
A throaty noise while breathing
Your child is finding it hard to get their breath and is sucking their stomach in under their
ribs
Other signs
Blue, pale, blotchy, or ashen (grey) skin
Your child is hard to wake up, or appears disorientated or confused
They’re crying constantly and you can’t console or distract them, or the cry doesn’t sound
like their normal cry
Green vomit
Your child has a fit (convulsion or seizure) for the first time
Your child is under 8 weeks old and doesn’t want to feed
Nappies that are drier than usual – this is a sign of dehydration
If your child has any of these signs, get medical help as soon as possible.
CHILD CARE
Child care refers to the act of providing supervision, care, and guidance to children even in the
absence of their parents or guardians. It involves ensuring the safety, physical needs, emotional well-
being, and educational development of the child, along with engaging them in various activities
suitable for their age. Child care may be provided by parents, family members, or professional
caregivers in various settings such as child care centers, preschools, in-home care, or through
babysitters or nannies.
Child Rearing Practices
Child-rearing is the process of taking care of and raising children.
Or the work of taking care of children until they are old enough to take care of themselves.
It can also be defined as the process of taking care of your child`s physical, emotional, psychological,
and spiritual development until they can take care of themselves and take care of others.
There is not a “right way” to rear a child, but there are many mistakes that you can make. The
problem is that the one who suffers is the child. That is why there are many positive strategies,
different parenting styles like authoritative parenting, gentle parenting or parenting strategies like
nurturing parenting that can help you, and you can learn a lot from the parenting styles that are not
so recommended, like neglectful parenting.
Child-rearing focuses on topics like moral, ethic, empathy, mindfulness, proactiveness,
independence, respect, good manners and many others. All in all, our goal as parents is not to help
the child grow physically; our goal is to build a strong personality that can make the world a better
place
Choosing positive child rearing practices is part of the strategy one mindful parent must embrace.
Good child rearing practices are essential for children’s optimal development and help for
synchronicity between the parent and the child. A good parent must be able to meet the child`s
emotional and physical needs.

6. Being a parent who follows such a strategy and is focused on helping your child grow and develop
will make you more confident and happier. A bad example of the opposite are new parents who
cannot calm their babies which showed how parents who received knowledge, skills, and social
support related to infant feeding, diet, physical activity, and television viewing consumed fewer
sweet snacks and spent fewer minutes daily viewing television. You can read what is the correlation
between good child rearing practices and childhood developmental, social, or behavioral delays.
Positive child rearing practices
Major Goals of Parenting Reading to the children every day
Storytelling or singing to/with the children
Eating your meals together with the children every time you eat
Encourage special mommy/daddy time
Cheer good behavior
Say “No” and set boundaries when this is required
Be a friend but do not forget that you are the parent
Play sports with the child
Make sure they play independent games
Help your child find a good Role model (Free Printable My Role Model)
Talk about emotions and do not forget to say “I love you”
Help your child engage in positive daily habits like using a toothbrush
CHILD PARENTING
Parenting, the process of raising children and providing them with protection and care in order to
ensure their healthy development into adulthood.
Objectives of Parenting Children
Ensuring children’s health and safety,
Preparing children for life as productive adults.
Transmitting cultural values.
Types of parenting
1.Authoritative Parenting
This type of parent normally develops a close, nurturing relationship with their children. They have
clear guidelines for their expectations and explain their reasons associated with disciplinary actions.
Disciplinary methods are used as a way of support instead of punishment. Not only can children
have input into goals and expectations, but there are also frequent and appropriate levels of
communication between the parent and their child. In general, this parenting style leads to the
healthiest outcomes for children but requires a lot of patience and effort on both parties.
Authoritative parenting results in children who are confident, responsible, and able to self-regulate.
They can manage their negative emotions more effectively, which leads to better social outcomes
and emotional health. Since these parents also encourage independence, their children will learn
that they are capable of accomplishing goals on their own. This results in children who grow up with
higher self-esteem. Also, these children have a high level of academic achievement and school
performance.
2. Permissive parenting

7. Permissive parents tend to be warm, nurturing and usually have minimal or no expectations. They
impose limited rules on their children. Communication remains open, but parents allow their
children to figure things out for themselves. These low levels of expectation usually result in rare
uses of discipline. They act more like friends than parents.
Limited rules can lead to children with unhealthy eating habits, especially regarding snacks.[5] This
can result in increased risks for obesity and other health problems later in the child’s life. The child
also has a lot of freedom as they decide their bedtime, if or when to do homework, and screen time
with the computer and television.[6] Freedom to this degree can lead to other negative habits as the
parent does not provide much guidance on moderation. Overall, children of permissive parents
usually have some self-esteem and decent social skills. However, they can be impulsive, demanding,
selfish, and lack self-regulation.
3.Uninvolved Parenting
Children are given a lot of freedom as this type of parent normally stays out of the way. They fulfill
the child’s basic needs while generally remaining detached from their child’s life. An uninvolved
parent does not utilize a particular disciplining style and has a limited amount of communication
with their child. They tend to offer a low amount of nurturing while having either few or no
expectations of their children.
The children of uninvolved parents usually are resilient and may even be more self-sufficient than
children with other types of upbringings. However, these skills are developed out of necessity.
Additionally, they might have trouble controlling their emotions, less effective coping strategies, may
have academic challenges, and difficulty with maintaining or nurturing social relationships.
4.Authoritarian parenting
Authoritarian parents lack sensitive nurturing skills with their children and words of comfort and
encouragement are not regularly used. They assert control of, and obedience from their children.
There is little reasoning or discussions with the children as the parents are always ‘right’ and rules
and regulations are strictly adhered to. In other words, children of authoritarian parents are ‘seen
and not heard’
Principles of Child Parenting
There are ten (10) Principles of Good Parenting
1.What you do matters. “This is one of the most important principles,” Steinberg tells WebMD.
“What you do makes a difference. Your kids are watching you. Don’t just react on the spur of
the moment. Ask yourself, ‘What do I want to accomplish, and is this likely to produce that
result?’”
2.You cannot be too loving. “It is simply not possible to spoil a child with love,” he writes.
“What we often think of as the product of spoiling a child is never the result of showing a
child too much love. It is usually the consequence of giving a child thing in place of love –
things like leniency, lowered expectations, or material possessions.”
3.Be involved in your child’s life. “Being an involved parent takes time and is hard work, and it
often means rethinking and rearranging your priorities. It frequently means sacrificing what
you want to do for what your child needs to do. Be there mentally as well as physically.”

8. Being involved does not mean doing a child’s homework – or reading it over or correcting it.
“Homework is a tool for teachers to know whether the child is learning or not,” Steinberg tells
WebMD. “If you do the homework, you’re not letting the teacher know what the child is learning.”
4.Adapt your parenting to fit your child. Keep pace with your child’s development. Your child is
growing up. Consider how age is affecting the child’s behavior.
“The same drive for independence that is making your three-year-old say ‘no’ all the time is what’s
motivating him to be toilet trained,” writes Steinberg. “The same intellectual growth spurt that is
making your 13-year-old curious and inquisitive in the classroom also is making her argumentative at
the dinner table.”
For example: An eighth grader is easily distracted, irritable. Their grades in school are suffering. They
are argumentative. Should parents push them more, or should they be understanding so their self-
esteem doesn’t suffer?
“With a 13-year-old, the problem could be a number of things,” Steinberg says. “He may be
depressed. He could be getting too little sleep. Is he staying up too late? It could be he simply needs
some help in structuring time to allow time for studying. He may have a learning problem. Pushing
him to do better is not the answer. The problem needs to be diagnosed by a professional.”
5.Establish and set rules. “If you don’t manage your child’s behavior when he is young, he will
have a hard time learning how to manage himself when he is older and you aren’t around.
Any time of the day or night, you should always be able to answer these three questions:
Where is my child? Who is with my child? What is my child doing? The rules your child has
learned from you are going to shape the rules he applies to himself.”
“But you can’t micromanage your child,” Steinberg tells WebMD. “Once they’re in middle school,
you need let the child do their own homework, make their own choices, and not intervene.”
6.Foster your child’s independence. “Setting limits helps your child develop a sense of self-
control. Encouraging independence helps her develop a sense of self-direction. To be
successful in life, she’s going to need both.”
It is normal for children to push for autonomy, says Steinberg. “Many parents mistakenly equate
their child’s independence with rebelliousness or disobedience. Children push for independence
because it is part of human nature to want to feel in control rather than to feel controlled by
someone else.”
7.Be consistent. “If your rules vary from day to day in an unpredictable fashion or if you
enforce them only intermittently, your child’s misbehavior is your fault, not his. Your most
important disciplinary tool is consistency. Identify your non-negotiables. The more your
authority is based on wisdom and not on power, the less your child will challenge it.”
Many parents have problems being consistent, Steinberg tells WebMD. “When parents aren’t
consistent, children get confused. You have to force yourself to be more consistent.”
8.Avoid harsh discipline. Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances. “Children
who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children,” he writes.
“They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression to solve disputes with
others.”

9. “There is a lot of evidence that spanking causes aggression in children, which can lead to relationship
problems with other kids,” Steinberg tells WebMD. “There are many other ways to discipline a child,
including ‘time out,’ which work better and do not involve aggression.”
9.Explain your rules and decisions. “Good parents have expectations they want their child to
live up to,” he writes. “Generally, parents over explain to young children and under explain
to adolescents. What is obvious to you may not be evident to a 12-year-old. He doesn’t have
the priorities, judgment or experience that you have.”
An example: A 6-year-old is very active and very smart – but blurts out answers in class, doesn’t give
other kids a chance, and talks too much in class. His teacher needs to address the child behavior
problem. He needs to talk to the child about it, says Steinberg. “Parents might want to meet with the
teacher and develop a joint strategy. That child needs to learn to give other children a chance to
answer questions.”
10.Treat your child with respect. “The best way to get respectful treatment from your child is to
treat him respectfully,” Steinberg writes. “You should give your child the same courtesies
you would give to anyone else. Speak to him politely. Respect his opinion. Pay attention
when he is speaking to you. Treat him kindly. Try to please him when you can. Children treat
others the way their parents treat them. Your relationship with your child is the foundation
for her relationships with others
Factors that affect child-rearing practices
The different factors that are identified include Acceptance, Punishment, Protectiveness,
Responsibility, Responsiveness, Reward, Understanding, Non-critical, Permissiveness,
Encouragement, Rapport, Emotional Stability, and Patience.
Top 10 Common Parenting Problems and Solutions
Next time, instead of going crazy at your little one, try out our solutions for top 10 parenting
problems:
1.Frequent Tantrums:
This is one of the most annoying parenting problems that can easily aggravate parents. A child who
starts crying at the drop of a hat or who does not listen to reason is difficult to manage.
Solution:
In such a situation it is important to not lose your cool. It is best not to react instantly.
Tell your child that you will listen to him only after he stops crying.
It is important to show your kids that you are not unnerved by their temper tantrums.
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to manage your child’s rebellious attitude and tantrums with
proper guidance and support.
Points to consider
If your child is not discontinuing the habit of throwing tantrums, don’t give harsh punishments.
Instead, sit with them and try to understand their expectations.
2.Children Who Do Not Obey:

10. Children often do this to show their importance. Saying no to what you want them to do and
disobedience in taking orders is very common.
Solution:
Don’t try to curb your child’s autonomy.
At the same time, do not tolerate rude behavior.
You can always respect their opinions, but teach them what is right and wrong.
Your calmness and composure will definitely soothe them.
3.Unmanageable Sibling Rivalry:
For those of you who have two or more children, constant fights among the siblings can be one of
the biggest challenges. Frequent fights and arguments over nothing can drive any parent nuts.
Solution:
The best way to handle this is to separate siblings after a fight to make them cool down.
Don’t try to be a judge by deciding who is right and who is wrong.
Also make some rules in advance so that there are lesser issues to be dealt with later on.
Sibling rivalry affects not only those that are actively involved in the fight but also the entire family. It
might cause unnecessary stress to the parents and anyone else in earshot.
4.Children Telling White Lies:
Explain to your child that lying is bad.
Children often resort to telling lies, not knowing that you are aware of their lying (4).
Solution:
Never punish them or scold them for lying, instead, talk to them about the consequences of their
actions. This will help hone their decision-making skills and help them make better choices.
Instead of being judgmental or angry, explain that lying will not lead them anywhere.
Give them some time and let them learn on their own that lying is harmful. Set examples of what
problems lying can lead to.
5.Aggressive And Violent Attitude:
An angry child is stressful for parents. Frustration aggravates when complaints start pouring in about
your child beating others and resorting to little violence.
Solution:
Try to find out the reasons for his anger and understand his anger.
Most of the time, your child does have a valid reason.

11. If there are frequent anger outbursts, talk to a therapist for anger management to rule out the
serious manifestations later.
6.Complaining And Whining Kids:
Kids may complain and whine only to seek your attention.
Almost all children whine and complain, but some do more of it. You may consider it as a problem
and start ignoring them and do little to understand the complaints of your little ones.
Solution:
Most times you may fail to understand that your children complain or whine only to seek your
attention.
No matter how trivial, talking to your child often helps rather than side lining it.
7.Resistance During Studies:
Children hate to study and no parent tolerates such behaviour. As a parent you may try to coerce
your kid to study hard and put pressure at performing well.
Solution:
When your child is genuinely uninterested in studies, find out what he is interested in.
Pressurizing your child to study can never result in anything good.
Let your child tread this path slowly and learn from the experiences.
Set a good example through role modeling. If you want to help your child study and read books
more.
8. Poor Eating Habits:
Some children have poor eating habits.
Children often love all the junk food in the world and hate anything nutritious. As a parent you try
your best to feed them by force and by deception, but this never works out.
Solution:
Don’t force your child to eat anything.
Try to explain the consequences.
Prepare healthy meals your child likes.
Help your child develop a taste for nutritional food by getting them involved in the cooking process.
9.Addiction To Gadgets:
Children these days are born with affinity towards gadgets. Their addiction can bring down your
patience level to deal with the same.
Solution:
Try to control the hours your child spends on such gadgets.

12. Set some disciplinary rules that need to be adhere diligently.
Introduce them to other interesting hobbies and activities.
10.Shy and lack of Confidence:
Some children shun company due to a lack of confidence.
Some children shun company and are always lonely. This can be a cause for concern, as parents may
feel their child is getting left out.
Solution:
Encourage your children and praise their efforts
Understand his temperament.
Teach them how to cope with failure and disappointments.
Give them lots of love and help them express themselves better.
Get in touch with a therapist if he/she is not able to mix with peers at all.
Responsibilities of Parents in Child-Rearing.
These include:
To protect your child from harm.
To provide your child with food, clothing and a place to live.
To financially support your child.
To provide safety, supervision and control.
To provide medical care.
To provide an education.
CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION
Child safety refers to a set of policies, procedures and practices employed to make environment safe
for all children.
Or as any measure performed to enhance the well-being of children and safeguard them from
danger
Safeguarding for children entails the following:
Safeguarding children against abuse and mistreatment,
Preventing harm to children’s health or development,
Making sure that children grow up with safety and appropriate care,
Taking action to ensure that all children will have the best outcomes.
Pillars of child safeguarding.
The Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) standards are grouped around four pillars:
1.Ensuring a quality child protection response.
2.Understanding risks.

13. 3.Developing adequate strategies.
4. Working across sectors.
Child protection refers to actions done to protect specific children from concerns of risk or harm.
The six principles of child safeguarding
Accountability
When it comes to security, transparency is essential. If you are suspicious that a child, adolescent, or
vulnerable adult could be a victim of abuse or mistreatment, you should report it.
If you are responsible for protecting vulnerable individuals, children, and young people, you are
legally obliged to keep your child safeguarding training certificates updated. If you are found without
having recently completed a safeguarding training course or lack a verified certificate that
demonstrates the safeguarding training you had had, you may face harsh consequences.
Empowerment
It is critical for anyone who has been a victim of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment to feel in control of
their situation. Working with victims of abuse and neglect is a delicate issue that requires a lot of
encouragement and support.
It is your job to ensure that those individuals feel empowered to make their own decisions and that
they are not forced to give their consent. You should always remember that those individuals are
already going through a trauma. Therefore, any added pressure on them to disclose information
must be cautious. It is always possible that they will feel like being investigated, which may deter
them from revealing critical information.
Partnership
If you have just attended a safeguarding training course, you will be familiar with multi-agency
working. It is critical to collaborate with your local government and any agencies or organizations in
your neighborhood that may be able to assist in spotting and reporting cases of abuse or neglect.
If you decide to report a safety concern, collaboration is important. However, you should always
keep in mind that you have confidential information that you should always make sure that it is
going to the right person.
Prevention
There are times that it is possible to prevent a harmful event from happening to an individual. You
need to be aware of all indications and indicators of abuse and neglect that can help you recognize
when something isn’t right. That will put you in a better position to report any concerns about an
individual’s well-being “just in time.”
Child safeguarding training on the basic principles will teach you the basic indications and indicators
of abuse and neglect. That’s how you will always know what to look for when protecting vulnerable
adults, children, and young people.
Proportionality
When an issue of safeguarding occurs, you should disclose your concerns acceptably. If, for example,
you notice a suspicious bruise on an individual once without any other signs of abuse, it would

14. probably be better to keep a record of what you witnessed or heard from that person. This will
prove useful in case the signs of possible abuse continue and there is suspicion that is something is
going on.
Protection
We need to support and be allies to victims of abuse and neglect and anyone else we think that may
be in danger. Being there to support them and speak up on their behalf is the most appropriate way
to assist them in keeping them away from violence.
Safeguarding is intended to safeguard everyone from harm, whether they are children or vulnerable
adults, and wherever they may be exposed to danger. However, It is everyone’s job to be concerned
about the well-being of others.
What are the 5 Ps of safeguarding?
The 5 Ps of child protection are:
Prevention,
Paramountcy,
Partnership,
Protection and
Parental Responsibility.
Make your child aware of these P’s for an awkward situation they don’t understand.