We interviewed parents from primary schools participating in HealthLit4Kids to gauge their views on the impact of the program. Overall, parents valued HealthLit4Kids. Responses from parents identified three major program outcomes: child engagement, behaviour change and parent engagement.
Child engagement: Parents observed that children were motivated to participate in the program activities and enjoyed participating.
Behaviour change: Parents observed positive behaviour change in their children, particularly with regards to food and nutrition, mental health and wellbeing, and physical activity. Children also shared their learning with their parents, correcting and informing family health knowledge.
Parent engagement: The children’s creative artefacts were a key avenue for parent engagement with the program and their child’s health learning. Communication from the school to parents about HealthLit4Kids was also important but was varied in delivery and impact.
This study has reinforced the importance of offering the parents with opportunities to engage in school-based health literacy programs.
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Nash, R., Cruickshank, V., Flittner, A., Mainsbridge, C., Pill, S., & Elmer, S. (2020). How Did Parents View the Impact of the Curriculum-Based HealthLit4Kids Program Beyond the Classroom? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041449
