Healthy Learners in School

Health and education are interdependent. While people commonly understand that higher education correlates with higher income which in turn leads to better health, research also suggest that better health can help people become more educated.

Healthy children have increased ability to learn and develop the values, attitudes and skills necessary to be competent, effective and resilient adults.

The New Brunswick Healthy Learners in School Program (HLSP), co-ordinates health promotion and disease/injury prevention activities occurring at various levels (classroom, schools, school districts, home and communities). Program initiatives and actions are tailored to the local school community context depending on identified needs, priorities and resources.

A healthy school community has a positive impact on the health of children and families.  Learning environments that promote and support student and child well-being focus on their cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.

The Healthy Learners in School Program aims to improve student health and educational success by working in partnership with school districts, staff, parents, students and community partners to support school health.

The program uses a Comprehensive School Health Framework which aims to;

  • Provide healthy, supportive and safe learning environments.
  • Acquire knowledge, skills and experiences that build competencies in taking action to improve health and wellness.
  • Build partnerships and access services to advance school health and wellness.
  • Develop and support practices and policies that promote health and wellness.

How it works

The program includes a spectrum of activities and services that take place in schools and their surrounding communities to enable students to enhance their health and achievement, to develop to their fullest potential and to establish productive and satisfying relationships in their present and future lives.

The program is not intended to provide individual level services/care, but rather uses an integrated approach to health promotion that gives students numerous opportunities to observe, learn and experience positive health attitudes and behaviours, which, in turn, have a greater impact on student health and learning and lifelong healthy habits.

Video courtesy Healthy Schools BC

School District Websites

The Four Pillars of Wellness

The Healthy Learners program aligns with the NB Wellness Strategy by focusing on four main pillars of wellness: healthy eating, physical activity, positive mental health, and risk reduction.

Photo of healthy lunch

Healthy Eating

Make the healthy choice the easy choice. Healthy eating during childhood and adolescence promotes optimal health and contributes to physical and intellectual development.

Photo of two young girls are having a water break on the running track at athletics club

Physical Activity

Movement plays an important role in the healthy development of a child and habits formed early can last a lifetime. Children and youth should accumulate 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.

Photo of school girl kid student with cloud computing mind,

Positive Mental Health

Schools have an important role to play in creating environments that foster students’ capacity to flourish and thrive, and to experience hope, even in the face of challenging situations.

Photo of kids on scooters

Risk Reduction

Help students reduce their risks of injury and illness while enjoying long healthy lives.

Photo of parent treating head lice

Head Lice Resources