PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) is an important subject that promotes living a healthy lifestyle through both physical activity and personal growth. It focuses on developing students' understanding of their own physical, social, cognitive and emotional development as well as relationships. The subject matter includes active lifestyles, dance, games, sports, gymnastics, and interpersonal relationships, and teaches skills like moving, problem-solving, communicating, and decision-making. PDHPE aims to teach students what a healthy lifestyle entails and how to lead it over their six years of primary school.

1. PDHPE Rationale
Why it is important

2. Curriculum
PDHPE is an important Key Learning
Area as it promotes the importance of
living a healthy lifestyle.
This subject is concerned not only
with personal growth and
development but is also concerned
with creating awareness of others and
their growth and development.

3. Syllabus
Subject Matter Skills Developed
 Active Lifestyle  Moving
 Dance
 Problem-solving
 Games and Sports
 Communicating
 Growth and Development
 Interacting
 Gymnastics
 Interpersonal Relationships  Decision-making
 Personal Health Choices
 Safe Living

4. Personal Development and
Health
This is taught through the strands and skills outlined above. More specifically it
focuses on developing student’s understanding of their own
“physical, social, cognitive and emotional development” as well as developing
“an understanding of the nature of relationships”.
As well, students are taught about nutrition and the human body, in preparation
for the changes and decisions that they will make in the future.
This element of PDHPE develops students communication skills, their ability to
make responsible decisions and solve problems.
K-6 PDHPE Syllabus, 2007

5. Physical Education
This element dominates what most people think PDHPE is all about. There is
a focus on the physical aspect as it is through physical activity that many
cognitive skills can be taught. As well as developing gross and fine motor
skills, physical activity provides an opportunity for children to feel the benefits
of being physically fit.
As outlined in the syllabus physical education is in the form of
dance, games, sports and gymnastics, in these subject areas many skills can
be imparted.

6. What PDHPE is really about
This means that students learn in their 6 years of primary schooling what a
healthy lifestyle is and how to lead it. It’s not all about playing sport and being
active, it is also about nutrition and personal and interpersonal awareness.
Although PDHPE is about fun it is also an important aspect to your child's
overall education.