Part Four-1
PART FOUR
ACTIVITIES WITH MOTHERS
AND CHILDREN
Most trainers of health
workers agree that activities
with mothers and children are
the most important part of
health work in a community.
This is because . . .
• Women and children make
up more than half the people
(up to 75%).
• The health needs of mothers
and children are especially
great.
• Mothers and older children
are the main providers of
care for babies and younger
children, whose needs are
greatest of all.
Part Four of this book has three chapters:
In Chapter 22, we consider activities that help safeguard the health of pregnant
women, mothers, and small children. We discuss the role of health workers in
coordinating prenatal and ‘under-fives’ programs. But we also stress the importance
of having local mothers and midwives take leadership in running these activities.
Baby weighing is discussed. We explore creative teaching aids that help mothers
understand Road to Health charts. Finally, we look at women’s special strengths.
In Chapter 23, we examine family planning. We include this as a separate chapter,
not because we feel birth control should be separated from the rest of mother and
child health care. Rather, we do this because of the confusing politics and abuses
connected with family planning. Too often, in the many arguments concerning
birth control, the interests of the poor are forgotten. In this chapter, we discuss the
conflicts of interest that often exist, and consider ways in which health workers can
help people plan their families on their own terms.
Chapter 24 is about “Children as Health Workers.” The material in this chapter is
based on the CHILD-to-child Program. Many of the original CHILD-to-child activities
were field tested by health workers and school teachers in Ajoya, Mexico. They
include simple teaching aids and exciting approaches that help children discover
things for themselves. The program attempts to bring schooling closer to children’s
lives and needs, and to place the focus of education on helping one another. The
health worker can play an important role in this process.