EDUCATIONAL HEALTH ACTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

Promoting health and safety in schools is essential, especially during childhood and adolescence, stages marked by vulnerabilities. Educational actions on first aid are fundamental to empower students to recognize and respond to emergency situations such as choking, fainting, seizures, and electric shocks. This study reports an educational health initiative focused on first aid, conducted with elementary school students in a public school in Teresina, Brazil, aiming to strengthen autonomy and collective care. It is an experience report carried out between April 2024 and February 2025 by a multidisciplinary team of family health residents. The activities involved students aged 10 to 16 and employed active methodologies with playful dynamics (treasure hunts, hot potato, telephone game), practical simulations, and discussion circles. The themes were selected based on a situational diagnosis conducted in collaboration with the school. The activities encouraged student engagement, leading to increased understanding of emergency response. Interdisciplinarity contributed to a more comprehensive approach to the topics. Playful strategies facilitated content assimilation, and active participation strengthened youth autonomy and bonds with the school. The experience demonstrated the positive impact of integrating health and education. Such initiatives are essential to promote a culture of prevention, safety, and care within the school environment, fostering holistic health and citizenship among students.