Healthy Lungs for Life for schools helps children and young people learn about lung health through engaging, evidence-based educational activities designed for use in schools and community settings.
Content Table
Developed by the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and European Respiratory Society (ERS), the programme supports teachers, schools and education partners with free downloadable resources that encourage discussion around healthy lungs, air quality, physical activity, smoking prevention and healthy lifestyles.
The programme has been used by schools and organisations across Europe and internationally, helping children better understand how everyday choices and environments affect lung health and wellbeing.
All resources are free to access and many are available in multiple languages.
Healthy lungs are important at every stage of life. Helping children and young people understand how the lungs work, what affects breathing and how to protect lung health can support healthier habits and increased awareness from an early age.
The schools programme encourages pupils to explore topics such as:
Activities are designed to be engaging, age-appropriate and adaptable for different learning environments.
Healthy Lungs for Life provides curriculum-linked educational materials for different age groups, helping teachers introduce lung health topics in accessible and interactive ways.
Resources include:
These materials were developed with TWINKL and Sarah McLusky, with support from the CADSET project.
TWINKL are a learning resources development company specialising in education worldwide. The Twinkl resources are also available below in German, Italian, Spanish and Catalan.
We worked with Sarah McLusky to develop complete lesson packs about air quality and smoking for ages 8-11 and 11-14. These are available below in Italian.
The materials are available free of charge for you to download and use. We would love to know if you have used any in your school and any feedback you might have.
Human Gas Exchange System diagram to label
Human Gas Exchange System diagram to label support
Human Gas Exchange System Labelling Worksheet
Human Gas Exchange System Labelling worksheet support
Human Gas Exchange System Labelling worksheet answers
Human Gas Exchange System worksheet – support answers
Human Gas Exchange match and draw
Human Gas Exchange match and draw answers
Human Gas Exchange System Hotspots
Human gas exchange system display poster
Human gas exchange display poster with instructions
Mechanism of Breathing Model Teacher Demonstration Guide
Mechanism of Breathing Model Worksheet
Mechanism of Breathing Model Worksheet answers
7 à 11 ans
Un regard sur nos poumons
Qualité de l’air
Modèle de poumons
Le système d’échange de gaz
11 à 14 ans
Un regard sur nos poumons
Modèle de poumons
Le système d’échange gazeux
Fumée
7 tot 11 jaar
Een kijk naar onze longen
Luchtkwaliteit
Model van de longen
Het gaswisselingssysteem
11 tot 14 jaar
Een kijk naar onze longen
Model van de longen
Het gaswisselingssysteem
Roken
7 – 11 Jahre alt
Ein Blick auf unsere Lungen
Luftqualität
Modells der Lunge
Menschliches Gasaustauschsystem
11 – 14 Jahre alt
Ein Blick auf unsere Lungen
Modells der Lunge
Die Gefahren des Rauchens
Menschliches Gasaustauschsystem
5-7 años
Mira nuestros pulmones
7-11 años
Miniinvestigación del ritmo respiratorio
Realización de un modelo de los pulmones
Sistema de intercambio gaseoso del ser humano
11-14 años
Sistema de intercambio gaseoso del ser humano y mecanismo de la respiración
Más recursos de fumar
Cómo tener una buena salud pulmonar
7-11 anys
Fem una maqueta dels pulmons
Sistema d’intercanvi de gasos humans Retalla i enganxa
11-14 anys
Sistema d’intercanvi de gasos humans i mecanisme de la respiració
Més recursos per a fumadors
The World Health Organization has produced two resources aimed at tackling smoking for schools:
Many materials are available in translated versions to support schools and communities around the world. Many schools programme materials are available in multiple languages to improve accessibility and support wider international use. Translated resources help schools, teachers and organisations adapt activities for local communities and educational settings.
Healthy Lungs for Life has delivered school engagement activities alongside international campaign events and community initiatives. These activities help connect lung health learning with real-world environmental and lifestyle topics.
The school’s programme has been developed with support from education and health partners to ensure materials are engaging, practical and suitable for use in schools. The programme has included collaborations and contributions linked to educational organisations and wider public health initiatives.
Schools and teachers have used the programme to support classroom discussions around health, environment and wellbeing.
Testimonials coming soon