Kids are the future of the nation. The importance of educating them about health and well-being cannot be overstated.
In today’s world, millions of children suffer from various diseases because of a lack of awareness and proper medication at an early age. Every year, thousands of kids die due to poor health conditions and a lack of funds to live a long and healthy life. Lack of nutrition is one of the leading causes of numerous fatal diseases like infection, coughs, and fevers.
Children’s health education focuses on many issues, including proper and clean hand washing, mouth washing, bathing, and much more. There are other reasons as well. Here are a few of them for your better understanding. Before that, know what Health Education is in short.
What is Health Education?
Health education aims to educate individuals and communities about living a healthier lifestyle. Health education professionals integrate biological, environmental, psychological, and medical sciences knowledge to implement, develop, and evaluate programs designed to keep people healthy.
Why is Health Education important for children?
Now you need to understand why it is so essential. Different parts of the world have different aspects to focus on in schools. Nonetheless, health education is essential. There are several reasons students need health education in school, such as those listed below.
1. Builds Positive Attitudes and Knowledge
Through health education, children learn how to make healthy choices. As a result, young minds develop positive behaviors and attitudes. In health education, equality and sexuality education will help develop communication and behavior skills in a community.
2. Improves Physical, Social, Mental, and Emotional Health
Nowadays, drugs are causing havoc on both mental and physical health. Many people rely on effective drugs for their health. But did you know that health education plays a counterbalance in our lives? It shapes us with a normative safety culture, moderation, and decision-making. Educating people about how certain drugs and alcohol affect the mind and body can prevent addictions. Additionally, it can raise awareness of the dangers of substances like abuse.
3. Motivates to maintain a good health
Health education impacts many areas of wellness, including:
- Maternal and Infant Health Education
- Chronic Disease Awareness
- Tobacco use & Substance Abuse Prevention
- Violence and Injury Prevention
- Mental and Physical Behavioral Health
- Nutrition, Obesity, and Exercise Prevention
- Risky behaviors
Also, health education leads to accurate knowledge and skills of self-advocacy. Further, it enhances our effective habits and cognitive ability.
4. Improves learning and cognition
First of all, health education teaches children specific health-related skills. The second benefit is that it provides skills such as decision-making and critical thinking, as well as the ability to make healthy choices.
Now that you’ve known what its benefits are, what is the goal of school health education.
Goals for School Health Education
School curricula that include health education emphasize certain things. As a result, the students of this school are more aware of their health. All kinds of health are understood by them, as well as how to stay healthy. The focus of such schools is on.
- Self-care and caring for others
- Taking charge of life’s circumstances and making healthy decisions
- Creating health-promoting conditions
Build capacity in the areas of peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, equitable distribution of wealth, and social justice - Preventing diseases and disabilities caused by helminths, tobacco use, HIV/ AIDS/ STDs, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and drugs, violence, and poor nutrition.
- Behaviors that influence health
- Make students aware of Health needs and Problems. By teaching correct health concepts and behavioral patterns, students can make the best possible choices for their optimum health and well-being.
- Improves family and school environment – Increase the role of students in delivering health messages to the community and promoting national health programs that the country may be launching at the time.
Strategies to teach Health education
- Participation of kids
- Planned learning activities to increase participants’ knowledge and skills
- Implementation of health education programs with integrated and planned curricula and materials based on the convenience of the participants.
- Presenting the information with computer-based audio-visual supports includes slides, projectors, videos, CDs, pictures, etc.
- Proficiency of staff through training.
- Completion of assessments.
Summary
The curriculum of each school must be prioritized in certain areas. Choose wisely and live a healthy life!
