The document discusses the importance and rationale of teaching PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) in primary schools. It outlines that PDHPE education aims to help students lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives by developing their knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes. Key areas covered in the PDHPE syllabus include physical, social, cognitive and emotional growth, health choices, interpersonal relationships, fundamental movement, and skills for action and movement. The document argues that PDHPE is critical as it provides real-life skills to students, focuses on central aspects of child development, and teaches how to stay safe. Benefits include starting healthy habits early, enjoying different sports and exercises, staying active outdoors,

1. PDHPE rationale iN
PRIMARY School
…………………………………………………………
UNDESRTANDING ITS importance AND purpose
Miss Monica Sanchez. 6A

2. living and
learning in a safe
secure
environment
Children learn physical,
social, cognitive and
emotional growth and
development patterns.
the factors
influencing
personal health
choices
The development and
maintenance of positive
interpersonal relationships.
the adoption of an
active lifestyle
fundamental movement
patterns and coordinated
actions of the body
skills that enable
action for better
health and movement
outcomes
Key PDHPE learning Points
Board of Studies. (2001). Personal development, health and physical education k-6: modules. Sydney, Australia: Board of Studies NSW. p. 7 - 9

3. The aim of teaching pdhpe:
“To develop in each student the knowledge and understanding, skills
and values and attitudes needed to lead healthy, active and fulfilling
lives. In doing so, the syllabus will form the basis for students to
adopt a responsible and productive role in society”.
Board of Studies. (2001). Personal development, health and physical education k-6: modules. Sydney, Australia: Board of Studies NSW. p. 8

4. Why is it so important?
PDHPE Education is critical because:
• It provides students with real life significance. The main strands of PDHPE
education allow children to understand how to obtain a healthy and
enjoyable life.
• All of the strands within the PDHPE syllabus focus on the central parts of
child development looking at healthy relationships, being active, making
good choices about their own health, and understanding how their body
constantly undergoes change.
• The PDHPE syllabus for K-6 provides children with “an ability to act in
ways that will keep themselves and others safe from harm.”
Board of Studies. (2001). Personal development, health and physical education k-6: modules. Sydney, Australia: Board of Studies NSW. p. 9-11

5. Benefits of Sports and Activities:
• Teaching children to understand the benefits of PDHPE allows
for healthy habits to start from a young age.
• Children may enjoy learning and participating in various
different forms of sports and exercise that they would not
normally have the opportunity to take part in.
• Children stay active, spend more time outdoors and learn to
work with others as a member of a team.

6. What Does the government think?
“Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and
reduce the risk of developing certain conditions or diseases
including depression and anxiety (as well as maintaining)…
weight and preventing osteoporosis”
State Government of Victoria. (2014). Physical activity – it’s important. Better Health. Retrieved from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Physical_activity_its_important?open