The program is a supplement for use with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture's health curriculum in the early years, and the personal development and relationships curriculum for junior high. The program is divided into three targeted sections - one for grades primary to three, one for grades four to six and one for grades seven to nine. Teachers attending professional development seminars this month will be in-serviced by the Tobacco Control Unit of the Department of Health. The program was developed by Drug Dependency in partnership with the Department of Education and Culture, curriculum specialists across the province, teachers and students. The teachers will be encouraged to share the information with their colleagues when they return to their home schools to help ensure the maximum number of children can benefit from the program.
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable illness.
The program aims to help children and adolescents make responsible choices by building greater awareness and understanding with each school year. The program includes ideas for classroom discussion, role-playing and problem solving. In the early grades, the focus is on the benefits of a healthy, active and smoke-free lifestyle. In the later grades, particularly the transition years between elementary and junior high schools, the emphasis shifts to give the students the skills and information they need to make good health decisions. I am pleased that our two departments worked together to develop curriculum that will help students to make responsible health decisions.