Heath education about communicable diseases for school age children: experience report

Abstract

Objective: To report on the experience of developing a hygiene-focused health initiative in a social project with children from first to third grade of primary school. Experience report: The project coordinator suggested the topic, and health education was developed in three stages: identification of problems by age group, planning of the initiative, and implementation of activities with two groups of students, one from first and second grade, and another from third grade, to address their different needs. On the day of the initiative, first and second grade students participated in recreational activities on hygiene, including videos and oral hygiene, followed by a group discussion. Third grade students participated in a puppet show on hygiene, which also concluded with a group discussion. Final considerations: It is important that health education projects be regularly integrated into schools, using videos and interactive strategies appropriate for each age group. Health professionals should collaborate with education to transform relevant information into disease-preventing actions for children.