We invited Dr. Ichikawa from Ichikawa Clinic to give a lecture on health for students in grades 4 to 6. He explained how our daily habits have a big impact on our health and taught us that eating breakfast helps activate brain function.
“What does it mean to be healthy?” “Do you get enough sleep? Remember, children grow while they sleep.”
As they listened, many students began reflecting on their own habits, saying things like, “Maybe I go to bed too late because of games,” or “I might be eating too many snacks.”
The doctor also explained: “Why is obesity a problem? Moving a large body with a small heart is like trying to power a big car with a small engine. Childhood obesity often leads to adult obesity, which increases the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”
The children also learned about the importance of diet and exercise, and many reflected on their own activity habits, saying things like, “I do swimming,” or “I play badminton.”
The students touched their own spines to check.
At the end, the students learned about the relationship between smartphone use and academic performance, as well as the effects of gaming on the brain. Internet gaming disorder has been officially recognized as a “disease.” Research has suggested that long hours of gaming affect areas of the brain related to higher cognitive functions, and may be associated with a decline in verbal intelligence.
To enjoy spending time with friends and doing the things you love, it is important to take care of both your mind and body. We hope the students will put into practice what they learned today.
Reflections
- “I was glad to learn more details about my body.”
- “I realized I might be spending too much time on games and not enough on exercise.”
- “I want to try not to be picky about food.”
- “I learned that health is really important.”
- “I like sweets, but I learned that eating too many is not good.”
Health Check
At the start of the second term, we measured height and weight. Many students had grown taller.
