[Active teaching of health: conceptualization of intervention programs for children and adults]

The programs described are based on a participant-centered pedagogical method, with the objective to make the individual autonomous and responsible for the management of his health. The underlying theory is interactionist and socio-constructivist. The person is continuously changing. Through exchanges with his socio-relational environment, he evolves toward affective, cognitive and social maturity, provided that he be actively involved in the process. Our educational contexts are activities in which each one is involved and on which he later reflects. In such group situations, the individual expresses himself, interacts, confronts others, which allows him to clarify, readjust and enlarge his system of thought. He also is able to better analyze and master his behavior, and to react more adequately in front of conflict situations. Each one elaborates his own solutions. Such health education programs aim thus at the development of optimal capabilities in the person, in order to promote his physical, psychic and social wellbeing.