Health-strengthening activities in Kaunas region, Lithuania
In Kaunas region, many educational institutions promote children's health and healthy lifestyles.
- From 2013 to 2015, schools in the Kaisiadorys district participated in a competition "The Healthiest Class". During 3 months of competition, pupils took part in various health activities: morning exercises, movement and dance breaks, hikes and so on. The project involved 26 classes from 11 district educational institutions and 624 activities enhancing children's health.
- Some educational institutions in the Kedainiai district participated in the project "Survive within 30 seconds", which provided theoretical and practical knowledge on how to react in an emergency, for example, fire, robbery, drowning, choking, etc.
- In Kaunas region, many pre-schools (kindergartens) were involved in a number of health projects. The kindergarten "Čiauškutis" in Kaunas city took part in the project "A lot of movement – you will be healthy", which promoted physical activity through different activities depending on children's ages. During "Health Day", children did breathing, eye and arm exercises and played active games outdoors. Pupils danced to music videos during morning exercises.
- Another project in the same kindergarten was "Football fiesta" in which children played a variety of sports, including football, with their parents. The celebration encouraged not only children, but also the whole family to participate in physical activity and health promotion in the fresh air.
- The "Vitamins Alphabet" project also involved pupils and their parents. Children pressed and tasted fruit and vegetable juices, strengthened their teeth by chewing carrots and made vegetable salads. Kids really liked these activities, because they could do them by themselves.
- The project "Let's Move to the Rhythm of the Dance" was designed to enhance the health of children by encouraging different forms and types of physical activity. Children were introduced to a variety of dance styles, and could try them together with their parents.
- In another Kaunas city kindergarten "Giliukas", children prepared healthy food and learned about vitamins and their health benefits. They also learned about the benefits of herbs and collected, sorted and stored them in bags. Children loved the morning ritual of tea drinking.
Future plans in the Kaunas region include the creation of a health-strengthening network of educational institutions to implement joint projects that actively promote pupils' health.
