It is important that children start learning about their bones from an early age; the earlier children start making healthy dietary and lifestyle choices, the better the chance of preventing osteoporosis becoming a disease of future generations.

The national curriculum makes the teaching of bone health compulsory to young people and schools have a responsibility to educate children about their health. Our resources are designed for teachers and those involved in the education of young people to help make bone health fun and engaging.

The charity has created a new education website that is designed to support the teaching and learning of bone health in primary schools. Bones4life.org is an invaluable tool for teachers, parents and children. The children’s section of the website has been specifically designed to appeal to ages 7 -11 and includes games, quizzes and picture galleries which incorporate vital health messages in a fun form. The adult section hosts a variety of resources including lesson plans, video and music.

• Visit Bones4life.org

Primary schools are also being offered a free Resource Pack that gives them all the activities that they need to organise a ‘bone healthy week’. The pack includes: teacher’s notes, a large poster, a thinking skills game, a CD containing ‘Boogie For Your Bones’ video and music, a fundraising ideas sheet, a publicity template and a dance plan poster.  Next year, the charity will be developing resources that will promote the teaching of bone health at secondary school.

• Order a free Resource Pack

Our volunteers and local support groups also provide a crucial link in supporting teachers and parents locally and help them to use our educational materials successfully.