The 3 Programs That Need To Be Considered As A Component Of K-12 Health Education Curriculum

The school health nurse plays a critical role in providing comprehensive health services and screenings to students. He/she provides preventive services, early identification of problems, intervention and referrals to foster health, and educational success to the students (American Pediatrics Academy, 2008). According to Harkness and DeMarco (2016), k-12 health education curriculum should include “personal health, family health, community health, consumer health, environmental health, sexuality education, mental and emotional health, injury prevention and safety, nutrition, prevention and control of disease, substance use and abuse” (p. 471). I believe that the 3 programs that need to be considered as a component of a k-12 health education curriculum are health wellness, physical safety, and nutrition. Health wellness are designed to help students improve their health and increase their health related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Physical safety is vital for the students to recognize safe and unsafe practices, and recognize and apply appropriate emergency

According to Harkness and DeMarco (2016, p. 478), “an estimated 17% of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 are obese, and that about 1 in 7 low-income, preschool-aged children are obese.” Many children are making unhealthy choices, overeating, and are not getting enough physical activity. It is important that the school promote a lifelong physical activity and healthy eating to all the students. Likewise, a high quality physical education must be provided by the school that teaches students self-management and to be more active. The physical education curriculum should encourage activities and sports that students enjoy and promote physical, mental, emotional, and social development (Harkness and DeMarco, 2016, p. 471). It should also focus on cardio respiratory endurance, motor skills, and body awareness of the