Children's Health in Primary Schools.

Positing the relevance of well-being and social support to educational achievement, this book explores the status of children's health and its importance to the education of young children. A mail questionnaire survey of 1031 of approximately 20,000 Primary Education Schools in England and Wales in the fall of 1993 yielded 620 replies; a response rate of 60 percent. Data from this survey and six case studies call attention to conditions that are necessary for children to learn. These factors include good health, a nutritious diet, enough exercise, a safe and comfortable environment, happiness, and good sanitation. The book is divided into three parts: (1) "The Survey", describing the instrument, the buildings inspected, accidents and illness, health education and school health services, and a commentary; (2) "The Case Studies", detailing reports of a month spent at each of six schools; (3) "The View from the Children," showing their perspective on their schools; and (4) "Discussion," summarizing the status of children's health at school, issues of interrelationships between agencies, and the division of labor for the care of children. Appendices include the survey questionnaire and methodology, tables, facts about case-study participants, and schedules. Contains 116 references. (AMC)