Integration of Health Education Into Core Elementary Curricula to Promote Student Well-Being and School Success

• In Event: Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Poster Fair A: Examining Student Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe a university-school collaboration to integrate health education across core subject areas in elementary school classrooms. We describe our efforts to co-develop health curricula that align with Common Core State Standards, link and expand learning vertically kindergarten through 5th grade, rely on instructional best practices, leverage digital content and multimedia, and promote a school-wide culture of wellness. This work supports our long-term vision to identify and disseminate best practices in health promotion in elementary schools to improve student knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors related to nutrition, healthy eating, and physical fitness. Our objectives include evaluating the effectiveness of an integrated instructional approach and ensuring its sustainability.

Authors

• Carol Nixon, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Heather Smith

• Sharon L. Shields, Vanderbilt University