Wednesday 6 August 2014

Children learn more about the invaluable NHS with the "Monkey Well Being" Packs

NHS Monkey Well Being Packs have been distributed to UK primary schools. What an awesome looking pack!

Here at ReadItDaddy we aren't just interested in children's books, but in children's development and well being too. The National Health Service is a service we believe in and back to the hilt so it's been a pleasure to take a look at some details about the NHS "Monkey Well Being" packs and resources designed to help young children gain valuable information about the modern NHS, and engage with fun activities, stories and interactive web pages to enhance their understanding.

NHS packs have been distributed to primary school children, with the aim of heightening awareness and also perhaps addressing the understandable angst that children have about doctors and hospitals.

"Monkey" is the fun character designed to provide engagement, fun and interest for the packs and the campaign.

The schools pack was distributed to every primary school in England during 2013-14 and evaluation of its impact was undertaken by Liverpool John Moores University. The evaluation report concluded that the resource was deemed “useful, engaging and informative, catering to a wide range of abilities, including children with learning disabilities”.

Other conclusions include:

· Almost two-thirds of schools felt the resources successfully taught primary aged children about NHS Services

· In some cases children were able to teach parents about NHS services

· It was considered exciting and motivating for children and thought to add considerable value to the teaching process

· There was a demand from teachers for additional Monkey resources

· Over half of the schools felt pupils were better informed regarding the appropriate services to use, enabling informed choices and helping to avoid misuse of services and associated cost implications

Lots to do, lots to see, with Monkey!
You can find out more about the campaign, and the packs on the NHS Monkey Well Being Website: