Health Education Toolkit

A message from our health educators:

Welcome to the Snohomish County Health Education Toolkit! 

Health education plays a critical role in nurturing students' physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being during formative years. As educators, you are vital in shaping students' attitudes and behaviors towards health and wellness. This toolkit aims to equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to facilitate meaningful discussions, encourage healthy habits, and empower students to make informed decisions. 

To learn more about effective prevention strategies and tools for youth in general, read this document from the Washington State Healthcare Authority: Prevention Tools--What Works and What Doesn't.

HOW TO USE THIS TOOLKIT

  1. Exploring the Topics: The toolkit is divided into 6 topics: Wellness, Substance Use, Social and Emotional Health, Nutrition, Safety, and Sexual Health. Each unit contains lesson plans, activity ideas, discussion prompts, and more.
  2. Selecting Appropriate Resources: Choose resources that align with your school’s curriculum and students' needs, interests, and readiness. The toolkit offers a range of materials suitable for diverse learning styles and abilities.
  3. Adapting to Your Classroom: Adapt the provided materials to suit the age group of your students, classroom dynamics, and individual student needs. 
  4. Promoting Inclusivity: Consider the diverse backgrounds and experiences of your students when delivering health education. Foster a safe and inclusive space where all students feel valued and respected.
  5. Encouraging Collaboration: Share this resource guide with your fellow educators, health professionals, and parents to foster a collaborative approach to promoting health and wellness.
Wellness
Nutrition
Social and Emotional Health
Safety
Substance Use
Sexual Health
Resources

Quality health education has these characteristics:

  • Uses qualified and supported teachers.
  • Connects students to key health services.
  • Engages parents, caregivers, and community partners.
  • Fosters positive relationships between adolescents and adults who are important to them.

Table from Quality Health Education | Adolescent and School Health | CDC