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Academic Success & Healthy Students

Published September 25, 2008

The following article was written by WCS Health/Wellness Coordinator Ken Brooks

I would not think it too surprising to anyone that the current research supports "Healthy Students Learn Better."  What may need to be expanded and eventually agreed upon is what defines a child’s health.  One such definition is contributed by Dr. Marcia Rubin who is currently the Director of Research and Sponsored Programs at the American School Health Association.  Based on the belief that children and adolescents cannot learn if they are not healthy, the following should be part of the health definition:

  • Intellectual Health – demonstrated when an individual is curious and persistent about learning.
  • Physical Health – demonstrated when all body systems function efficiently with energy to spare.
  • Emotional Health – demonstrated when an individual can express a wide array of feelings effectively and appropriately.
  • Social Health – demonstrated when individuals can initiate and sustain meaningful, empathetic relationships with others.
  • Character Health – demonstrated when individuals can articulate the principles that guide their behavioral choices such as honesty, respect, trustworthiness, the golden rule, responsibility, fairness, citizenship, honor, excellence, and justice.

Each aspect is interconnected with the other and all are necessary for optimal learning. From a WCS Coordinated School Health perspective, this is the reason why a coordinated approach is needed to achieve academic and health success.