Exercise, sleep and nutrition are important prerequisites in daily life for being able to function healthily in both the school and home environments. “Health education is important for prepubescent children. Through proper guidance and information, they can make better choices to become and remain healthier. The onset of puberty is a sensitive age at which we often see a decline in physical activity, as well as less healthy food choices,” says Olaf Verschuren, initiator of the project and researcher at the Utrecht Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation Medicine.

Making their own healthy choices

Verschuren: “This age is also often characterised by a changing sleep pattern. Prepubescent children learn to develop their own autonomy and are already beginning to make choices for themselves. These choices can be positively influenced by offering health education at an early stage. School, both in special and mainstream education, is an ideal place to take a step towards a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is a lack of educational programmes focused on physical health for children and young people.”

Teaching package tailored to the children

The teaching package was primarily developed for first-year classes in cluster 3 special education, but is also suitable for years 7 and 8 of mainstream primary education. It contains three modules, each comprising three lessons of approximately 35–40 minutes. Verschuren: “Children and young people with physical disabilities are represented in the illustrations and animations. It is important that young people can recognise themselves in the material and that it is appealing. The lessons consist of an educational component, alternating with visual information and assignments that encourage discussion. Verbal information is alternated with visual information. Children will also regularly carry out practical assignments, sometimes together with their parents.” Koen Broeren, a teacher at Kienehoef primary school who tested the teaching materials, says: “I tried this teaching package with Year 8 and was very impressed by the positive impact it had on the children. They were engaged and enthusiastic about the themes of exercise, nutrition and sleep. This was evident from the conversations that continued afterwards.”

Information about the teaching package

The teaching package consists of:

  • nine PowerPoint presentations
  • comprehensive lesson plans
  • homework assignments
  • posters/infographics about the three themes

All materials can be downloaded free of charge via www.kcrutrecht.nl/lespakket