Two experiential Health Education programs in the schools of Larissa

Two experiential Health Education programs in the schools of Larissa

How much can students learn in the magical ‘germland’? Too many, because bypassing the sterile language and applying active and experiential learning methods, they stop being passive receivers of knowledge, participate actively, and finally become researchers.

With the reasoning that the first classes of the Primary School are of particular importance for a child’s education and training, since in addition to the knowledge he acquires, he also builds the foundations on which he will be able to rely for the rest of his school (and not only) life, the The Directorate of Public Health of the Region of Thessaly and the Department of Public Hygiene implement two extremely interesting experiential Health Education programs in the schools of Larissa.

Representative of the importance he gives to Health Education as the appropriate preventive approach in the field of education was the presence of the Deputy Governor of Health Mr. Evangelos Apostolos who was among the young students and the teachers of 2^u Primary School and watched the activities with interest

During this school year, two programs are implemented:

First, the 2nd grade students invade the “Land of germs» where the slogan is “Clean hands, 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 to the students that if they succeed in acquiring healthy habits such as washing hands and covering coughs, they will be able to greatly reduce the transmission of germs inside and outside the school, which is the goal of the program.

As for the Oral health education program “Strong teeth – Oral health for children”, applied to first and second grade students, includes experiential learning of the correct way of brushing in casts, the importance of the systematic use of fluoride that strengthens the teeth and dental floss in the interdental spaces, as well as the recognition and avoidance of hidden of sugar in foods.

Health Education is associated with the implementation of programs that enable students, through active and experiential learning methods, to build attitudes and life valuescomplete their personality and become responsible and aware active citizens.

The programs are supported by health professionals: Evangelia Ganetsiou, Head of the Public Health Department, Christina Nouvakoudis, Health Visitor and Maria Papagianni-Doumas, Coordinator of Prevention Programs.