PDHPE in Primary Schools

A 5 slide overview of my rationale for advocating teaching PDHPE in

Primary Schools

Why teach PDHPE?• PDHPE teaching, I believe, will increase student awareness in relation to

healthy eating, physical exercise, road safety, sex education and peer relationships. PDHPE will improve the students lifestyle and influence them to make health decisions in regard to most aspects of their lives.

Current Issues• Obesity - growing trend of overweight children and adults• Increased inactivity - due to advances in technology (e.g. computer

games, Play station, Xbox etc) which result in more sedentary lifestyles

• Increased unhealthy eating: due to the convenience and appeal to children when they are socialising (e.g. candy bar in the movie theatres, Fast food restaurants in shopping centres etc)

Syllabus Indicators• Communicating• Decision-making• Interacting• Moving • Problem-solving skills

• All these skills are embedded in the PDHPE K-6 syllabus. They are essential life skills and therefore, are important to be learnt at a young age. PDHPE in primary schools provides the teaching of these 5 aspects and as a result, it is very important that sufficient time is allocated to the teaching of PDHPE every week in Primary Schools across Australia.

Why is PE and Sport Important?• “Apart from developing physical fitness, sport and games can also teach

vital social skills. None can be enjoyed without abiding by the rules, and no team can hope to succeed without cooperation between the players. This sort of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds” HM. Queen Elizabeth II

• "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” Nelson Mandela

Conclusion• Less than half of the Year 2, and 4 students meet the Australian physical

activity guideline for young people• Only 20% of Year K, 2 and 4 parents knew what the activity guideline

recommends for children.• Therefore, the community (students and parents) need to be mad aware

of the importance of PDHPE for healthy living.• Schools must be more PDHPE focussed and make sure they are meeting the

minimum requirements. Schools and teachers who are enthusiastic about PDHPE will influence their students and the community to adopt the same ideals. Students must be taught the PDHPE syllabus in depth and parents must be made aware of healthy practices (e.g. diet and activity) for their children

• This is the only way to change the current unhealthy trend of society into a more healthy outlook