Healthy Harold

Names	Healthy Harold
Gender	Male
Race	Giraffe
Occupation	Athlete, Teacher
Origin	Life Education Australia Centre 1979
Alignment	Good
Age	At Least 7
Created By	Rev Ted Noffs
Height	3.5 to 4.5 feet (1 to 1.4 meters)
Weight

Healthy Harold is the mascot for the Life Education Australia organisation (Life Ed), the largest and most recognised health education provider in Australian schools. Life Ed reaches on average 700,000 children annually where qualified educators present evidence-based preventative health and wellbeing education, along with Healthy Harold, the giraffe puppet and mascot who is the face of the organisation. he is a lovable giraffe, caring and loyal friend and passionate advocate for the health and safety of all Aussie children and their families, Healthy Harold is an Australian icon. Designed to teach children about health, nutrition, and well-being, Healthy Harold is a friendly, anthropomorphic giraffe who embodies the values of healthy living.

Background and Origin

• Creation: Healthy Harold was created in the 1979 by the organization Life Education Australia, which was founded to address the growing need for health education among children. The character was developed to be an engaging way to convey important health messages.
• Name: The name "Healthy Harold" reflects his mission of promoting health and well-being. The use of "Harold" adds a friendly, approachable touch to the character.

Educational Impact

• Curriculum Integration: Healthy Harold is an integral part of Life Education's curriculum, which is implemented in schools across Australia. The program covers a wide range of topics, including nutrition, emotional well-being, drug awareness, and personal safety.
• Interactive Learning: Through storytelling, role-playing, and interactive activities, Healthy Harold helps children understand complex health topics in a relatable way. He often shares stories and scenarios that resonate with kids, making the learning process enjoyable and effective.

Key Themes and Messages

• Healthy Eating: Harold teaches the importance of a balanced diet, encouraging children to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. He often discusses the benefits of making healthier food choices.
• Physical Activity: He promotes regular exercise and physical activity, emphasizing how it contributes to overall health and well-being. Harold often encourages kids to play outside and engage in sports.
• Mental Health: Healthy Harold also addresses emotional and mental health, teaching children about self-care, resilience, and the importance of talking about feelings.
• Drug and Alcohol Awareness: The character introduces age-appropriate discussions about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, empowering children to make informed decisions.

Recognition and Legacy

• Cultural Icon: Healthy Harold has become a cultural icon in Australia, recognized not only for his educational role but also for his positive influence on generations of children. He has appeared in various media, including books, videos, and live presentations.
• Community Engagement: Life Education, alongside Healthy Harold, engages with communities, parents, and educators to foster a comprehensive approach to children's health education. They provide resources and support for families to continue health discussions at home.
• Merchandising: Healthy Harold has inspired a range of merchandise, including books, educational materials, and even plush toys, further extending his reach and impact.

Trivia

• Healthy Harold is depicted as cheerful, optimistic, and always ready to help, embodying the message that healthy living is fun and rewarding.

• The Life Education mobile classrooms, often referred to as "Healthy Harold’s classroom," travel to schools across Australia, providing hands-on health education experiences.
• Harold loves being active and will give anything a go – soccer, basketball, judo, surfing, swimming, bike riding even ballet!
• Healthy Harold loves to learn new things. ‘Tech savvy’, he likes keeping up with his friends’ through his Facebook page.