Taking care of and keeping our feet healthy is a key aspect of living a healthy life. Feet are essential for mobility but also, because we use them so much, they face wear and tear.
That is why our school was very excited about the initiative “healthy feet” by the orthopedist Dr. Gabriele Karanis from the Military Medical Speciality Center. “Healthy feet” educational program aims to prevent maldevelopment of the musculoskeletal system in order to support proper skeletal development and good body posture in children.
Dr. Karanis, together with our P.E. teacher Marcelina Hörlin and Jan Missfeld, delivered a four-session program for classes 1A and 1B during the sport lessons over a two-week period in December. Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services supported the program by providing some equipment and teaching posters.
Our young pupils learnt about the structure of the foot as well as gained knowledge what bones, muscles and joints are. They were challenged by taking part in “feet feeling” stations while being blindfolded, balancing parkours and dancing. With their sport teacher, they were working on their coordination, muscular strength, flexibility and proprioception to support sensory development. Footprints were collected by Dr. Karanis to find the foot patterns of the children. Also impression foam forms were used for each student, which were later filled in with gypsum allowing them to receive a 3D mold of their own foot. Dr. Karanis additionally handed out feedback folders.
Students showed lots of enthusiasm and participated actively during each and every lesson.
Thumbs up to healthy and happy feet!!
Marcelina Hörlin
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