The US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have described the characteristics of an effective health education curriculum according to reviews of effective programs and curricula and experts in the field of health education.
These characteristics are all covered in the Schools 4 Health resources:
- Wellness: A Question of Balance – An Educator Resource
- Teens and Transition: A Teacher Guide
- Teens and Transition: A Parent Guide
Today’s state-of-art health education curricula reflects a growing body of research outlined on the CDC website. Less effective curricula often overemphasizes teaching scientific facts and increasing student knowledge.
The growing body of research emphasizes:
- Teaching functional health information (essential knowledge)
- Shaping personal values and beliefs that support health behaviors
- Shaping group norms that value a healthy lifestyle
- Developing the essential life skills necessary to adopt, practice and maintain health-enhancing behaviours
Topics on the CDC Healthy Schools website:
- Characteristics of an Effective Health Education Curriculum
- About CDC Healthy Schools
- Promoting Healthy Behaviors
- Managing Health Conditions
- Assessing School Health
- Improving School Health
- Data and Research
- Training and Professional Development
- Success Stories