Experiential Health Education programs in the schools of Larissa from the Region of Thessaly

How much can students learn in the magical ‘germland’? Despite
many, because bypassing the sterile language and applying methods
of active and experiential learning, they cease to be passive recipients
of knowledge, actively participate, eventually become researchers.
On the grounds that the first classes of the Primary School have a special
importance for the education and training of a child, since in addition to knowledge
that he acquires also builds the foundations on which he can rely for the rest
his school (and not only) life, the Department of Public Health of the Region
of Thessaly and the Department of Public Hygiene, implement two excellent
interesting experiential Health Education programs in the schools of Larissa.
Representative of the importance it gives to Health Education as appropriate
preventive approach in the field of education was also his presence
Deputy Governor of Health Mr. Evangelos Apostolou who was among the
young students and the teachers of the 2nd Primary School and
watched the actions with interest
During this school year, two programs are implemented:
First, the 2nd grade students invade the “Land of Germs”
where the motto is “Hands clean, germs away” and they watch
educational video on “germ hunters”, while through an easy
experiment they learn how important it is to wash their hands. It is emphasized in
students that if they manage to acquire healthy habits such as washing their

hands and covering the cough, will manage to greatly reduce the transmission of
germs inside and outside the school, which is the goal of the program.
Regarding the oral health education program “Strong teeth
-Oral health for children”, which is applied to students of 1st and 2nd grade
Elementary, includes experiential learning of the right way
of brushing in casts, the importance of the systematic use of fluoride which
strengthens the teeth and the dental floss in the interdental spaces, as well
and identifying and avoiding hidden sugar in foods.

Health Education is linked to the implementation of programs that give
opportunity for students through active and experiential learning methods,
to build attitudes and life values, complete their personality and
to become responsible and aware active citizens.
The programs are supported by health professionals: Evangelia Ganetsiou,
Head of the Department of Public Health, Christina Nouvakoudis, Visitor
of Health and Maria Papagianni-Doumas, Coordinator of Prevention Programs.