SCHOOL-BASED COMMUNITY-DEVELOPMENT AS A HEALTH PROMOTION STRATEGY FORCHILDREN

In this paper we discuss our experience of engaging 9-10-year-old chil dren in grade 4 in a community development process to deal with commun ity health problems they consider important. With guidance from a faci litator, young children can work cooperatively to identify problems, s et priorities, and design and implement activities to address a commun ity health issue. They can reflect upon their actions and the process within which they have worked and can realize that the process can be applied to the resolution of other community problems. However, childr en's levels of cognitive and social maturity and their position in soc iety present special issues for the use of community development as a health education strategy.