THE PDHPE RATIONALE

THE IMPORTANCE OF PDHPE

Miss Khan
What is PDHPE?
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) has
been classified as an important aspect of the NSW K-6 curriculum.
PDHPE aims to educate students about:
Personal Development-
oImproving personal skills in relation to positive choices and
problem solving
oCommunicating and interacting with others.
Health-
oImportance of wellbeing and the priorities of a healthy lifestyle
including a range of aspects such as; drug education, road
safety, emergency procedures and nutrition.
Physical Education-
oEncouragement of physical activity and fitness in order to stay
fit and live a healthy lifestyle,
oMaintain healthy bodies and
oBuild social skills and confidence levels.

Risks of limited knowledge of PDHPE
An individuals inability to focus on PDHPE leads to numerous
risks including:
oObesity
oPsychological health
oHealth issues including bone development and heart
diseases
oNo knowledge in avoiding dangers including drugs and
water safety
oLimited skills and understanding of interpersonal
relationships including community expectations and
friendships
oLow self-confidence and self-acceptance in regards to
understanding uniqueness of individual development


Valuable facts regarding PDHPE
In 2011-12, 63% of Australians were reported
overweight. (Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian
Healthy Survey, 2011-13)
The 2004 Australia's Physical Activity
Recommendations for Children suggest that children
aged 518 years need a minimum of 60 minutes of
moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
A childs diet is just as important as physical activity
to their growth and development. An unhealthy diet
may lead to issues such as obesity, weak bones and
diabetes. (NSW Department of Education and
Communities, 2011)

What can we do to help?
As their guiders and role models, we should encourage and implement
healthy lifestyle choices in their everyday lives. Parents should educate
students about the positives of PDHPE and different ways to ensure
children develop into healthy individuals and build positive relationships.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that Physical activity
can include any activity which requires a child to expend
energy, including sports or simply playing. Playing with your
children in the background on a daily basis can be very helpful
and loads of fun!
Educate students on right and wrong health decisions and encourage
them to be more physically active
With constant reminders and encouragement in schools and homes,
students may be willing and motivated to focus on their health,
participate in physical activity on a daily basis and increase awareness
of personal safety.
Australian Bureau Statistics. (2009). Children who are overweight or
obese. Retreived from:
http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/LookupAttach/41
02.0Publication24.09.093/$File/41020_Childhoodobesity.pdf
NSW Department of Education and Communities, (2011). Nutrition.
Retrieved from:
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/phc/
nut001a.htm
Board of Studies NSW, (2006). PDHPE K-6 Syllabus. Retrieved from:
http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/wps/wcm/connect/330e5ccb-782a-
432b-8ce5-122a8c42967e/k6_pdhpe_syl.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
National Health Performance Authority. (2013). Overweight and obesity
rates across Australia, 201112. Retrieved from:
http://www.myhealthycommunities.gov.au/Content/publications/downloa
ds/NHPA_HC_Report_Overweight_and_Obesity_Report_October_2013
.pdf




References