Health Promoting Schools

Heart health

Photographs of a girl doing a cartwheel in the playground and boys playing basketball

Being fit is necessary for good health. Pupils should learn the need to prepare for exercise by warming up, and should be aware of the body changes that ensue:

  • increased heart beat and pulse rate
  • increase in body temperature
  • loosening of joints and muscles.      

The Happy Heart Project is designed to help children become more aware of what it means to lead a healthy life. Subjects covered include:

  • the body and how it works
  • fitness and health
  • the advantages of physical activity
  • the importance of sleep
  • the importance of a good balanced diet.      

The accent is on making sport and physical activity enjoyable and fun, so that young children cultivate a genuine enthusiasm for leading an active, healthy life which will continue with them into adulthood.
Health Education Authority, 1990

There is a specific chapter dealing with Testing the Heart and Lungs. Resources for The Happy Heart Project are available from Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd. Telephone: 01264 342 992.

The British Heart Foundation's teaching resource - Heartstart - provides education and training for both staff and pupils in methods of resuscitation and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Resources

Find practical resources on heart health using our Resources search including the following:

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