Physical activity isn’t just good for children’s bodies, it’s essential for their minds too. Exercise improves mood, supports emotional balance, sharpens focus, and builds resilience. This is why the Embrace Project integrates physical activity as a core element of its life skills curriculum for students across all school levels in Romania.
Recent data show that 33% of Romanian children aged 11-15 report feeling sad more than once a week, which is more than twice the EU average. This data underscores the critical importance of supporting children’s mental health through educational initiatives.
Sources: WHO, UNICEF Romania, UNICEF Child and Adolescent Health in Romania
The Embrace Project curriculum uses engaging methods such as games, breathing exercises, and outdoor activities to teach students about the connection between quality rest, regular physical movement, and healthy habits, all vital for maintaining mental wellbeing. One key part of the curriculum involves encouraging students to create balanced daily or weekly plans. These plans include time for physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction, helping children develop practical habits that promote both emotional and physical health.
Here’s what students learn through the program:
- The connection between physical health and emotional well-being
- How movement enhances concentration, energy, and mood
- Daily habits that build resilience and encourage self-care
By integrating physical activity into life skills education, the Embrace Project is helping schools become places where kids can grow physically and emotionally, laying the foundation for healthier futures.
Learn more about the EMBRACE project: embrace-future.eu
