1. THE IMPORTANCE OF PDHPE
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education is one
of the six key learning areas that is very important for the
development of each student.
The aim of the unit is to develop in students
knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes which
are essential in sustaining active and healthy lifestyles.

2. Promotes physical and emotional
growth and development patterns
By educating students about the
nature of life’s changes and the
uniqueness of individual
development, the children create
and understanding and thereby
develop :
• Feelings of self-confidence
• Self-acceptance
• Ability to act in the best
interests of themselves and
others

3. Promotes physical activity
Being active is a vital part in developing and
maintaining optimum health. Children need
to be encouraged as it physical activity has
only positive aspects including:
• It is enjoyable, creative and builds on self-
esteem.
• Can improve cardiovascular efficiency.
• Reduce risk of coronary heart disease.
• Enhances bone development.
• Controls obesity.
• Improves psychological health and
immune system.

4. POSITIVELY INFLUENCES PERSONAL
HEALTH CHOICES
• By educating the children about
health issues and the types of
food groups, the children are able
to develop an understanding and
create their own balanced eating
diet. Their attitudes towards
different types of food groups
change as they learn the negative
affects of eating bad food such as
illness including; heart disease and
diabetes. For example; they may
chose the healthy option rather
than the unhealthy. That is they
may chose to eat a chicken and
salad sandwich from home rather
than buy Mcdonald’s.

5. PROMOTES LIVING AND LEARNING IN A SAFE
SECURE ENVIRONMENT
The students are educated about
different types of safe living including:
• Personal safety
• Home and rural safety
• School and play safety
• Road safety
• Water safety
• Emergency procedures.
By being taught about these different
types of situations in which they may
be at risk, the children learn recognise
unsafe situations and also learn to
protect themselves by utilising
strategies learnt in class. Their safety
and security is thereby enhanced.