«Prevention is better than Cure», as Hippocrates said. Erasmus Project

Project Title

«Prevention is better than Cure», as Hippocrates said.

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Creativity and culture; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

The project «Prevention is better than Cure», addressed to early years education students, is on healthy eating, exercise and well-being. Its innovation is based on the philosophy of the ancient Greek therapist Hippocrates, who acknowedged the significance of exercise – in combination with diet and other factors- for the preservation of good physical condition. In a world constantly changing causing negative effects on health, the meaning of the Hippocratic sayings is a priority. The core of the project is the idea that humans can search for ways of prevention and cure in nature and form positive attitudes towards environment and sustainability. The project is a continuation and expansion of previous eΤwinning programs at a European level, namely «The Hippocrates in Larissa», «Cultural Routes» and «The Importance of Diet and Exercise from the Age of Hippocrates to Today».
Main purpose of this project is the improvement and promotion of mental, physical health and the social well-being of the students by participating in activities so as to understand the importance of Health and the value of healthy eating through the investigation of the Hippocratic theory. Secondary objectives are the students’ learning about herbs and to realize that Nature is the best «pharmacy»; also to understand the benefits of exercise as a means of prevention in combination with diet, the interaction with European people and the development of social skills; finally to obtain environmental consciousness and inspire students to become active European citizens.
Teachers from 5 countries and 6 schools participate in this project:
-23rd public Kindergarten of Larissa, Greece, applicant organization. Participation in eTwinning and T4Europe programs, owner of eTwinning labels, awarded with the eTwinning School Label.
-5th public Kindergarten of Farsala, Greece, partner and coordinator in 2 Erasmus+KA2 projects.
-I.c.1 Imola, Italy, public school.
-AVE MARIA ESPARRAGUERA, Spain, private school, owner of eTwinning school labels.
-Vilkaviskio vaiku lopselis-darzelis Buratinas, Lithuania, public school. Οwner of eTwinning school labels, International award of Best eTwinning school.
-Preschool education organization “Saulite”, Latvia, public school.
At the first meeting each school will present the purpose, the objectives of the project, the planned activities and cooperation rules through videos and electronic presentations.The project is designed as a set of interdependent activities in which all the partners will play an active role to achieve the best results. The planned activities aim to the study of the topic through multiple experiential, exploratory and cooperative material, formed for students aged 4-9. The students will acquire knowledge regarding Hippocrates’ viewpoints with the support of TIC, while they’ll participate in an experiential action at the Diachronic Museum of the coordinating city. They will be «young guides» in a field study at the Medical school, the Hippocrates’ monument and the Diachronic Museum. They’ll organize and participate in «Olympic Games», get to know traditional games and recipes of the European countries and explore art. Parents’ participation will be active during the whole project. In addition the partner schools will share the activities and their results at their schools. Methods of experiential approach are applied, such as exploratory teaching, group collaboration, interdisciplinary, brainstorming, open type dialogues, use of art in education, transforming learning. Cooperation will have a positive effect on the personal and social development of students, teachers, collaborators and the school as a whole, thus strengthening the European identity. They’ll learn ancient phrases, related to diet and traditional games. They’ll be able to develop a healthy relationship with food, as well as get in touch with various sports. By promoting respect towards dissimilarity, the social exclusion of students will be reduced; they’ll follow rules of safety and hygiene in games, sports and everyday life. The project’s results will have long term benefits on students, acting consciously about issues which affect health and adopting strong dietary standards that become resistant habits during adulthood. Also, students will obtain environmental consciousness; will recognize dangers that threaten health and the environment, in order to make the right choices.
It’s of vital importance that new generation assimilate beneficial standards and attitudes which will positively affect the quality of life. As young age is the most appropriate for shaping habits and standards, we consider that this particular project will have a positive influence towards this direction. Thus school, being the most important means of transferring knowledge, will be an important source of influencing healthy habits. Health education will benefit students and parents to behave in a way that favors the prevention and preservation of health.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 100692 Eur

Project Coordinator

23rd KINDERGARTEN OF LARISSA & Country: EL

Project Partners

• Pres school educational institution “Saulite”
• Vilkaviskio vaiku lopselis-darzelis Buratinas
• AVE MARIA ESPARRAGUERA
• Istituto Comprensivo N.1 Imola
• 5th nipiagogio Farsala