The Link Between Academics and Overall Wellbeing of Children

Success is frequently associated with diligent effort, sometimes at the expense of one's well-being. However, recently this chain of thought has been challenged. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, experts around the world have termed academic performance a product of the complex environment that surrounds a child, influenced by relationships with peers and adults, motivation, the intensity of study, and the performance of peers. This implies that academic achievement has a lot more to do with emotional well-being than popular belief suggests. The relationship between the two is hardly straightforward. 

In this article, we will delve deeper into the topic and brief you on the link between academics and the overall well-being of children.

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Relationship between Health and Academic Success: Healthier Students=Better Learners? 

Unsurprisingly, good health and academic success are positively related. Good health helps improve concentration, increase learning capacity, facilitate hard work, and thus help students to achieve academic excellence. Health-promoting behaviours, such as consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular sleep routines, adequate physical activity, and frequent breakfast intake are positive predictors of GPA.

The traditional approach to health intervention revolves around the ‘pathogenic’ approach; wherein emphasis is given to the treatment of physical ailments. However, it is impossible to take a different approach wherein a child’s basic emotional needs are met, putting them in a frame of mind that facilitates learning and development. A school should also focus on a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing a well-balanced diet that provides nutrition, and encouraging students to abstain from intoxicating substances. 

When a student is in a fit state, he/she maintains healthy relationships with the people around him/her and is allowed to explore beyond the four walls of the classroom, he is bound to attain academic success.  This gives children the opportunity to gain and develop new skills, including self-confidence, empathy, knowledge retention, creativity, and critical thinking, all of which play a significant role in the academic calibre of a child.  In fact, a study involving 614 undergraduate students at a state university in the United States revealed that students with more health assets were more likely to achieve their academic goals, with those having the most health assets being 2.2 times more likely to achieve their academic goals compared to those with the fewest health assets.

What Measures can a School take to Promote Healthy Nutrition? 

When it comes to promoting anything healthy in the case of students, a school plays a pivotal role.  Nutritious meal options in canteens, Nutrition education, and incorporating physical activities are some of the ways a school can undertake to promote healthy nutrition. 

Here are some of the ways a school can promote healthy nutrition 

• Rewards: Rewards are the best way to engage children in any activity. Children can be rewarded with certificates and batches for maintaining consistency in healthy eating habits For example if their recess meals consistently include green vegetables and fruits they can be rewarded with an appreciation certificate, helping children embrace nutrition positively.
• Involvement of Parents: Schools can communicate and educate parents about the importance of a nutritious diet. This can include providing them with weekly food charts, participation in nongas healthy, and involving them in school nutrition initiatives.
• Nutrition Education: Nutrition education is vital for both parents and students, as it equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and healthy food choices. By empowering students with this understanding, they become active participants in their well-being, fostering a lifelong commitment to consuming nutritious food. 

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Pragatti International School is one such school that prioritizes the importance of overall well-being including the physical as well as mental fitness of every student. Pragatti International School is known for providing quality education in Pune along with utmost focus on the health of the students.

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The school focuses on the holistic development of its pupils through its diverse and comprehensive curriculum. The school offers an exceptional learning experience by teaching students to adopt a positive attitude, skill, confidence, sensitivity, and responsibility. Moreover, the school aims to identify and cultivate unique skills of each child, fostering the development of their abilities and self-confidence, helping them to thrive in life and stand out in the competitive environment. 

Also Read | How to Keep School Kids' Mind and Body Healthy During Exam Season?

Most educational institutions nationwide drill a mantra for academic achievement in students at a very young age, setting absurd and sometimes unhealthy standards for children. However, more experienced teaching professionals have realized the importance of mental health and the overall well-being of students as an essential factor to their long-term academic success. The same requires parents and institutions to rise to the occasion and embrace more progressive teaching pedagogies that prioritize activities and practices that promote well-being.