Importance of PDHPE in primary schools

Personal development, Health and Physical Education is important in primary schools as it is the foundation of building a child’s knowledge on not only their own, but others’ well being. PDHPE in primary schools:• Encourage an understanding and valuing of self and others• Promote physical activity• Influence personal health choices• Inform how to live and learn in a safe secure environment

Valuing of self and others• Reinforces the importance of the individual’s well being by supporting

their personal identity.• Students learn to develop social skills which allow them

to build and value positive relationships with their peers and teachers.

• The development of these social skills in PDHPE enable students to use them effectively outside of school and are important in developing interpersonal relationships in the future.

• Students learn to develop relationships in team sports, this teaches them to work cooperatively and appreciate their relationship with their peers.

• Students who understand and value themselves and others are better equipped to respond to change.

physical activity• Physical activity taught in schools is often maintained by

students later in life which benefits their future health.

• Students are encouraged to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. This is important in developing their future lifestyle habits.

• Physical activity eliminates the risk of health problems such as obesity and heart disease, which are growing problems in Australia.

• Important in the development of children’s fundamental movement skills in each stage.

• Benefits of both mental and physical health.

• Physical education in schools encourage positive behaviours.

personal health choices• Healthy eating is one of the most important concepts that are

taught in primary schools. This concept is extremely beneficial in developing healthy eating habits for student’s future lifestyle.

• The long term benefits of healthy eating and how it eliminates the risk of a number of health problems.

• Educate students on issues that may beuncomfortable discussing with their parents, such as sex education and personal identity.

• Awareness of sensitive topics allow students to have a better understanding on the subject matter which will guide them in making the correct health choices.

• Students need guidance concerning with appropriate health attitudes and behaviours.

safe and secure environment• Education on safety is extremely important to

children in primary schools. The concept of safe living has vital role in student’s safety.

• Issues involving personal safety, home and rural safety, school and play safety, road safety, water safety and emergency safety are used to educate children on how they protect themselves in these situations.

• Strategies discussed have long term benefits for student’s safety as they are able to apply them if a situation were to occur.

• Students learn that there are certain things that are acceptable and unacceptable depending on where they are.

• Understand that individuals have rights to respect their own safety.