ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Psychol.
Sec. Health Psychology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1559497
This article is part of the Research TopicImplementing Mental Health Prevention and Promotion Programs: A Sustainable Approach - Volume IIIView all articles
Development of a Skills-Based Curriculum to Equitably Promote Health Behaviors through Physical Activity
Provisionally accepted
Anna Schwartz1
Heather Lewis2Lisa Jo Gagliardi3,4Scott Martin5Nick Jaskiw6Nancy J Jaskiw7
Rebecca E Hasson1*- 1School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- 2Williamston Community Schools, Williamston, United States
- 3LJ Gagliardi, LLC, Hessel, United States
- 4Michigan School Health Coordinators’ Association, Hessel, United States
- 5Michigan Department of Education, Lansing, Michigan, United States
- 6Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency, Fremont, United States
- 7Reeths-Puffer Intermediate Schools, Muskegon, United States
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Background: A systematic process was used to develop a curriculum that empowers families to engage in health behaviors through the common thread of physical activity (PA). Methods: A 12-step curriculum integration process was followed: assemble curriculum development team; determine scope; consider level of PA integration; consider vertical and horizontal PA integration; create module working groups; create learning outcomes; document content; determine themes; determine sequencing; select assessments; communicate with partners; re-evaluate and revise. Results: A multidisciplinary team created a 12-module family-based curriculum. PA was nested throughout; horizontal and vertical integration were achieved by including PA across topics and modules. Module working groups were based on expertise, with learning outcomes developed. Content focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, and skills, with the theme of families "moving together, thinking together and being together." Module order aligns with Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Assessments will include pre/post knowledge, attitude, and skill questions. Key partners reviewed the curriculum, with revisions completed. Discussion: This family-based curriculum provides a needed resource for families and for potentially fostering school-home connections. The systematic development of a family-based curriculum with PA integrated further indicates the potential of using PA to promote family engagement in health behaviors.
Keywords: family engagement, Curriculum, physical activity, Child Health, family relationships
Received: 12 Jan 2025; Accepted: 09 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Schwartz, Lewis, Gagliardi, Martin, Jaskiw, Jaskiw and Hasson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Rebecca E Hasson, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109-2013, Michigan, United States
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