Special teachers need to make healthy schools

In addition to a language, math or engineering specialist, every primary school should soon have an expert in house which ensures that children enough exercise and watch their diet.

Already, there is a healthy lifestyle high on the agenda. But schools do only occasionally something; they even organize a sports day ban in the basement unhealthy treats or healthy choice of food as a theme for a project week. ,, The promotion of a healthy lifestyle are still too ad hoc, '' Vivian Wood notes of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). ,, If you want to really effect, you have to like school a long time to get started and also involve the parents. ''

For the last stop of pizza as a snack in the lunch boxes, smearing white bread with chocolate sprinkles and give the juice boxes. At the Hogeschool Leiden teaches a group Pabo students exactly how to involve parents in the healthy classes. They also receive lectures on how to move more children next gym class, for example, a 'game of the week' for outdoor play or move snacking "between classes.

Students participate in a pilot project in which the teacher training colleges to develop a new curriculum specialist Sporty and Healthy School. Hogeschool Leiden possession of 1.2 million grant from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). The school works with five other colleges in the country everywhere to educate 'healthy teachers.

Water bottles
That "healthy teacher" is the pioneer of the school. He or she should everyone, including all colleagues meekrijgen to get the water bottles on the table and make out a math class. And that is an art project expected Monique van Ark, because now especially teachers who have an affinity with the theme, committed it. ,, I see quite often that toddlers should only treat healthy things, but as they get older, dilute those rules and share them just candy out. ''

It's just important to make clear agreements, which all teachers adhere. Ark: ,, That includes you in advance discussed with parents, children and colleagues what you do with a child who still takes chips or candy to hand out. '

Ultimately, schools hope to include reducing the number of obese people. Last week, the RIVM published a report showing that the health of generations deteriorating. Of these schools are aware. ,, We used to think: a sweet treat will not hurt. But we are all heavily in the Netherlands, '' realizes Rinda den Besten, chairman of industry association PO Council. ,, We want all children can grow up healthy. It starts with the parents, but the school also has a role. ''

http://www.ad.nl/ Ellen van Gaalen Photo: Monique van Ark