PDHPE rationale

What
learning
does it
involve?
How does it
link to the
NSW
syllabus?
What can
YOU do to
support your
childs
learning?
Its more
than just
sports
Why is it
important to
teach PDHPE
in primary
school?
What is
PDHPE?
More than just sports
PDH =
Personal
Development
Health
PE = Physical
Education
PDHPE is often undervalued in the school curriculum
and seen as less important compared to areas such as
English and Mathematics, though it is important to
recognise that PDHPE involves more than simply
playing sports.

It promotes physical, social and emotional growth and
develops physical movement skills as well as positive
attitudes towards health and lifestyle (NSW
Department of Education and Communities, 2011).



Why is important to teach PDHPE in
primary schools?
One of the aims of teaching PDHPE in primary schools is encourage children to
develop lifelong, positive attitudes towards physical activity and to equip children
with the skills and knowledge necessary to make good decisions later in life (DEC,
2011). Experiences in the early years in a childs life provide the foundation for their
future attitudes and wellbeing (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013).
PDHPE involves educational learning in personal health and development, including
learning about the human body, the effects of physical activity, personal identity,
sexuality, values, building positive relationships, nutrition, environmental health,
drug use, road safety as well as many other important and relevant topics (Board
of Studies, 2013).
PDHPE also encourages the use of ICT in classrooms, supporting 21
st
century learning
(Board of Studies, 2013).
PDHPE is an important key learning area as it :



PDHPE is an essential part of the
primary school curriculum
Encourages students to
understand and value
themselves and others,
promoting respect and
inclusion.
Promotes physical activity
and movement skills,
influencing personal health
choices.
Provides students with
knowledge and strategies
to inform effective decision
making and ownership of
responsibility for their
actions.
Encourages students to
recognise situations where
their safety is at risk and
equips students with
strategies to protect
themselves.
Supports the
development and
maintenance of
positive
relationships
What will students learn about under
the NSW PDHPE syllabus?
PDHPE
(stage 2)
* Balancing lifestyle
components for
optimal health
* Nutrition and
healthy eating
* Ways to be active
* Effects of
physical activity
on the body
* Dance and
gymnastics
* How to build and maintain
positive relationships
* Safe living
environments
*
Communication
and interaction
skills
* Decision making
* Problem-solving
strategies
* Personal identity
* Human sexuality
* The human body
* Environmental health
* Drug use and
effects on the body
* Athletics and games
* Games skills
and strategies
* Benefits of
lifestyle balance
* Personal
values
* Recycling
*Team work
The following suggestions are based on subject matter found in the NSW
PDHPE syllabus (Board of Studies, 2013):

What can YOU do to support your childs
learning?
Explain why you have
rules in everyday life,
for example: house
rules, traffic rules, and
laws. This learning
supports home and
road safety subject
matter (stage 2).
Encourage children to engage in
positive self-talk and to recognize
their own strengths and capabilities.
This behaviour supports personal
identity subject matter (stage 2).
Encourage and reinforce the
importance of wearing
protective clothing,
sunscreen and a hat when
playing outdoors. This
supports the preventative
measures/personal health
choices subject matter
(stage 2).
Offer your child healthy
food choices, reinforce
the notion of
sometimes, always
and rarely foods. This
learning supports the
nutrition subject
matter (stage 2).
Lead by example. Aim to spend at least
20 minutes engaging in physical activity
with your child each day. Show them that
being active and healthy is FUN!
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2013). Child health, development and wellbeing. Australian Government. Retrieved
from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/child-health-development-and-wellbeing/

Board of studies. (2013). Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) K-6 syllabus. NSW Government.
Retrieved from: http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/go/personal-development-health-and-physical-education-
pdhpe

Children dancing. (2013). [Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.occfr.wisc.edu/321.htm

Human body. (2011). [Image]. Retrieved from: https://www.easterndrugs.com/blog/general-health/interesting-human-body-
facts

NSW Department of Education and Communities (2011). Where does physical activity fit in the primary PDHPE syllabus? NSW
Government. Retrieved from:
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/paschools/pa_in_syllabus.htm

Smoking cigarette. (2014). [Image]. Retrieved from: http://guardianlv.com/2014/04/smoking-and-television-may-cause-
relapsing/

Sports equipment. (2014). [Image]. Retrieved from:
http://teacherweb.com/NC/HeritageMiddleSchool/HeritageMSPTA/apt5.aspx

* Images not mentioned in this reference list have been sourced through Microsoft clip art.

References: