Considering children and health literacy: a theoretical approach

Pediatrics. 2009 Nov:124 Suppl 3:S282-8. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-1162D.

Abstract

The theoretical approaches of Paulo Freire, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky frame the consideration of children and health literacy. This article includes a general discussion of literacy from the Freirian perspective. A definition of health literacy is then presented; first, the established meaning is introduced, but then a Freirian extension is proposed. Next, the theories of cognitive development by Piaget and Vygotsky are discussed, and examples related to children's health literacy are given. Finally, there is a discussion of why it is important to encourage and enable health literacy among children and adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Awareness
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control
  • Cognition
  • Comprehension
  • Educational Status*
  • Female
  • Health Education*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Healthy People Programs
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Models, Educational
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Participation
  • Power, Psychological
  • Thinking
  • United States