PLAYING AND LEARNING: PROMOTING HYGIENE AND HEALTHY EATING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Childhood is the phase of learning about life. Thus, the first six years of life are crucial for the integral development of children, covering emotional, physical, and, above all, cognitive aspects. In this context, daycare centers and preschools play an essential role in collaboration with parents and the community by providing education and contributing to the global development of this public. The objective of this article was to report the experiences of nursing students regarding the development and application of personal hygiene practices and the promotion of healthy eating habits among young children. This is a descriptive work of a qualitative nature, of the experience report type, resulting from an extension project developed in five Early Childhood Education Centers located in the municipality of Caxias-MA, where personal hygiene and healthy eating activities were carried out. Thus, a direct audience of 789 children and an indirect audience of 968 people, involving parents and teachers, totaling 1,757 people, were reached. The development of the activities allowed the children to better understand the importance of hygiene and healthy eating practices for a healthier childhood. During the dynamics, the participation of the little ones in the construction of new learning was notorious.