Lessons about puberty or sex education are usually what people think of health education. They might also think of having some lessons about nutrition. Nevertheless, comprehensive health education goes beyond that. Children spend a lot of time in school, so schools are very important to improve and develop children’s mental and physical health holistically to have a bright future. Moreover, health education equips children with the attitude and skills they need to be productive and successful adults.
The Importance of Comprehensive Health Education
Children’s long-term health is affected by their environment, habits, and behaviors. Most of the health problems adults have, such as diseases, depression, and substance abuse, stem from their childhood. Therefore, one of the effective ways to prevent these problems is to let children and adults the importance of having coping skills and healthy behaviors. The best way to do this is through comprehensive health education.
Students who experience comprehensive health education are more knowledgeable, so they are likely to make sound and less damaging choices. They are also able to sleep and eat better. They can also communicate better, have stronger self-esteem, and more physically active.
Comprehensive school education deals with the social, emotional, and physical health aspects through an organized curriculum. This curriculum needs to be accurate, age-appropriate, and delivered to all grade levels.
For comprehensive health education to be effective, a professional in the field should monitor and assess if it is successful or not. A wellness coordinator, wellness manager, or school health officer is capable of doing this.