Healthy Harold for Early Years Learning

Prospective users

Aims & approach

The Life Ed early years modules support educators in fostering young children's (ages 3-5 years) social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. These include: Harold's Big Feelings (supporting emotional and social development), Harold's Healthy Day (teaching children about healthy living), and Super Safe Harold (encouraging safety awareness and self-agency). Each module aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standards and is delivered in three stages:

• Before the Visit - Online resources for educators and families, along with learning environment suggestions to promote deeper engagement.
• During the Visit - A 45-60 minute incursion led by a Life Ed Educator and Healthy Harold, featuring puppetry, music, movement, and shared reading of a themed big book.
• After the Visit - Additional online enrichment activities, videos, and songs to reinforce learning.

The three modules focus on:

• Harold's Big Feelings - building social and emotional wellbeing skills and knowledge. Children learn emotional literacy, emotional regulation, being a good friend and help seeking through storytelling, songs, movement and interactive, hands on learning experiences.
• Harold's Healthy Day - developing and build skills that encourage healthy lifestyle. Children investigate eating well, hygiene, physical activity, sleep and rest through storytelling, songs, movement and interactive, hands on learning experiences.
• Super Safe Harold - developing children's agency to ensure the safety of themselves and others. Children learn general safety, connections and help seeking skills through storytelling, songs, movement and interactive, hands on learning experiences.

Implementation support

• Access to professional facilitator, instructor or mentor

Evidence

Life Ed's Early Learning Modules are grounded in the theories of Social Constructivism (Vygotsky) and Multiple Intelligences (Gardener).

The program supports children's learning and development for a safe and healthy lifestyle through the opportunity to engage in play-based, experiential and interactive experiences to foster their health and wellbeing - building on their mental, physical and social foundations. Children transfer knowledge from this learning experience into their home and everyday lives, strengthening positive decision-making skills and their sense of agency.