Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS
Close To Home
Moyers on Addiction Stripe
Return to Homepage Section: Prevention Subsection: Approaches That Work Open Sitemap
Dot

The Know Your Body Program

Nobody takes better care of you than you!" is the motto of the Know Your Body program (KYB), which teaches children that they are in charge of their own health. KYB takes a holistic approach to healthy living, with a curriculum that includes nutrition, exercise, substance-abuse prevention, and emotional well-being. As KYB project director Dr. Joan Liebmann-Smith explains, "If we can get students to care about the integrity of their bodies, healthy choices will follow."

The program uses games, simulations, and role plays to help students practice healthy skills outside the classroom. "We're not just interested in disseminating facts and figures. We teach life skills such as self-esteem, decision-making, goal setting, assertive communication, and stress management," says Dr. Liebman-Smith.
 
Know Your Body logo

KYB's health curriculum is easily integrated into language arts, math, social studies, and science. It has been in schools for over twenty-five years. Independent evaluations have shown that participating students improve in health-related knowledge, attitude, diet, and exercise habits, and show decreased blood pressure and smoking levels. Staff from the American Health Foundation are available to conduct teacher and coordinator training and help schools customize a program to suit their needs, goals, and capacity.

For more information, contact:

The Know Your Body Program American Health Foundation
675 Third Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 551-2509

-- Ben Alsup
Note:

This description is not intended as an endorsement of this particular program.

This article is an excerpt from the Elementary School Guide for MOYERS ON ADDICTION: CLOSE TO HOME, produced by Thirteen/WNET's Educational Publishing Department. The entire guide is available, free of charge, by downloading it to your computer or requesting a copy by mail.

Illustration: Courtesy of Know Your Body

Parents | High-Risk Kids | Stamp Out Smoking | TRUST | Growing Healthy | Know Your Body

Approaches That Work

Prevention

 

Home

PBS Online   |   Thirteen Online