PDHPE (Physical Development, Health and Physical Education) is important in primary schools for several key reasons: it encourages self-understanding and respect for others, promotes physical activity, and teaches informed decision making. Specifically, PDHPE promotes physical and psychological health, positive relationships, healthy lifestyle choices, and safe environments by providing students with knowledge and skills for overall well-being.

1. PDHPE
Ra(onale
Why
do
we
need
to
teach
PDHPE
in
schools?
English,
mathematics,
science
and
creative
arts
are
all
important
in
education.
However,
physical
development,
health
and
physical
education
is
equally
as
important
in
primary
schools.
PDHPE
is
important
in
primary
schools
as
it,
“encourages
an
understanding
and
valuing
of
self
and
others,
promotes
physical
activity,
emphasises
informed
decision
making
leading
to
effective
and
responsible
actions.”

2. Promo(ng
Physical
Ac(vity
Promoting
physical
activity
at
a
young
age
provides
children
with
the
necessary
knowledge
to
stay
active
in
their
adult
life.
Physical
activity
can
help
to:
— Improve
cardiovascular
efficiency
— Reduce
risk
factors
of
coronary
heart
disease
— Enhancing
bone
development
— Controlling
obesity
— Improve
psychological
health
and
immune
status.

3.
Posi(ve
Interpersonal
Rela(onships
Interacting
with
family,
peer
groups
and
teams
allows
students
to
understand
the
importance
of
belonging
and
feeling
secure
in
these
environments.
Children
develop
important
skills
such
as,
negotiation,
conflict
resolution,
tolerance,
roles,
responsibilities
and
community
expectations
by
having
these
relationships.

4. Healthy
Lifestyle
Choices
Physical
education
promotes
the
importance
of
making
healthy
lifestyle
choices
at
a
young
age
and
the
skills
to
apply
these
choices
when
they
are
older.
Therefore,
this
allows
students
to
acknowledge
ways
to
improve
their
quality
of
life.

5. Safe
and
Secure
Environments
PDHPE
provides
students
with
the
knowledge
to
recognise
situations
that
may
negatively
impact
their
health.
Therefore,
PDHPE
educates
children
with
the
strategies
to
protect
themselves
from
these
risks.
Overall,
PDHPE
is
important
in
schools
as
it
provides
the
necessary
knowledge
and
skills
for
promoting
a
healthy
well
being.