Health and Wellness

When educators take the whole student into account in their personalized learning approach, they must not ignore the physical and emotional well-being of the student. Acknowledging all aspects of student development includes demonstrating the practical applications of intellectual work, integrating goals for personal growth into the curriculum, building community, recognizing the influence of students’ emotional states on class performance and intellectual growth, recognizing the influence of students’ physical states on class performance and intellectual growth, and asking students to reflect on and shape the course of their own learning (Johnson et al., 2019). Integrating learning about nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, community involvement, and self-care into the curriculum provides a strong foundation for a healthy life that supports students through their current education and into adulthood. 

 

Much research has been done about the impacts of nutrition and physical activity on student learning. The outcome is that the better nutrition available to students, the more physically fit they are, the less stressed and more emotionally supported they are, the more they are able to learn, remember, and apply beyond the classroom (Rasicot, 2012).  There has been a growing focus on improved health policies that include physical education and activity; nutrition; health education; school health services; counseling, psychological, and social services; staff wellness, social and emotional school climate; safe physical environments; family engagement; and community involvement, making providing this information in the school environment not only a good idea, but required (Fobbs, 2014). Providing high-quality meals and snacks, integrating movement breaks and breathing exercises into the classroom, providing opportunities for emotional self-regulation and awareness, outdoor learning opportunities, and the safe space for students to self-report concerns are some immediate practical ways to integrate physical and emotional wellness into the classroom.

 

Provided here are additional resources and guides for inclusion of activities to support physical and emotional wellness in the classroom. It is important to note that this inclusion is important not just for the student, but for the educator as well.