Innovative teaching methodology of health friendly nutrition development and practice in pre-primary and primary education Erasmus Project

Project Title

Innovative teaching methodology of health friendly nutrition development and practice in pre-primary and primary education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development); New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

The quality of our nutrition affects our well-being throughout our lives, but it has an even greater impact on children whose bodies and minds are still growing. As studies presents nutritional deficiencies can seriously damage a child’s neural development, possibly leading to lower IQ and even learning disabilities. The essential role nutrition plays for developmental, cognitive and behavioral outcomes in life’s early stages, unfortunately, is often not well understood and appropriately acted upon by schools and parents, as nutrition education program as well is not coherent and integrated into school curricula. If from a young age child health-friendly nutrition is taught, it is likely that these knowledge, understanding, habits will last a lifetime. This could contribute to obesity and other problems and diseases reduction across Europe. EU Strategy 2030, conferences responses, Framework for Action Education 2030 highlights the importance and educational improvement needs in early childhood development as “education is one of the most potent ways of improving individuals’ health – and of making sure the benefits are passed on to future generations” in this way reaching the topic of well-being and health to which the project with its aims and results corresponds. Therefore within the project “Innovative teaching methodology of health friendly nutrition development and practice in pre-primary and primary education (HealthEDU)“ we sought to create a comprehensive, unified educational program for children involving a unified education for teachers, school staff and parents (educational institutions community), too. To provide them with health-friendly education knowledge correlated with schools achievements, eating habits, positive attitudes, we developed and promoted understanding and health lifestyle principles and body awareness, suggesting health-friendly menus and dishes for children as well as a correct food culture. Methodical material contained trans-nationally formed educational activities for children, educational trips. The materials were systematized on the basis of international good practices, the knowledge gained during the professional international training courses, experience, EU countries’ working practice, the content of health-friendly nutrition information including the pedagogical point of view and the importance for child education and schools improvement, which is necessary for maintaining human beings’ good health. All this was prepared by thematic area specialists and in compliance with EU health policy, the World Health Organization recommendations, and international researches. An E-learning course created and evaluated by experts and also an approved training program plus its methodical material were developed. By creating a portal as Open Education Resources to public auditorium, teachers were able to learn, provide lessons and use it as material and full e-course. We also recommended the course and the teachers training (qualification development). At the end of the project, in Lithuania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain and Greece a final conference as strong dissemination event was organized in order to invite all target groups – educational communities, public bodies and local, regional, national authorities, experts for all the results, good practice, feedback from beneficiaries’ presentation, and also workshops and round table discussion. The conference was led by health-friendly food chefs through practical shows. The project sustainability raised awareness of such program usability in Europe. The project ensured the spread of information for the public and private sector educational organizations, networks, regional, local, national authorities and mass media. The creation and development of non-formal education program based on the best European practice and achievements were proposed and used as facultative or as integrated lessons to the already existing school curricula – this improved the school curricula, the children knowledge as well as the quality of education. To conclude, we can say that inclusive education, encompassing child+family+educators, led to qualitative education and corrected the way to understand each other, the willingness to learn together, the fostering of motivation and effective learning.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 146729,2 Eur

Project Coordinator

VsI “eMundus” & Country: LT

Project Partners

• Kayseri Il Milli Egitim Mudurlugu
• EUROPAIKO ERGASTIRIO EKPAIDEFTIKIS TECHNOLOGIAS
• Traku rajono savivaldybes pedagogine psichologine tarnyba
• PIXEL – ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE
• FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE CULTURAL BPOCS
• FLORIDA CENTRE DE FORMACION SOCIEDAD COOPERATIVA