This document discusses the importance of physical activity and PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) in primary schools. It notes that a 2002 NSW summit found childhood obesity requires complex solutions. Schools can help by teaching healthy lifestyles through PDHPE, with 120 minutes of physical activity per week recommended. Physical activity benefits children's development, health, skills, and brain development. However, only 60% of children participate in sports outside of school, so more must be done to encourage physical activity.

1. The importance of PDHPE for
Primary School Education:
PARENT’s GUIDE
Miss Bahar Sevgi, 4S

2. 
NSW Childhood Obesity Summit held in 2002 provided an opportunity for experts
across Australia to explore issues relating to childhood obesity and physical
activity. One of the main messages was that childhood obesity is a complex issue
requiring complex solutions
What can our Schools do?
 Schools are important settings for education about healthy lifestyles.
 Teaching about the importance of a healthy lifestyle takes place in the key
learning area of PDHPE. In the framework provided by the PDHPE syllabus
 Whilst there is no mandated time for PDHPE or other key learning areas in
primary schools, it is recommended that 120 minutes is dedicated to planned
physical activity each week
 Two of the major focus areas in schools should be on developing student
proficiency in fundamental movement skills and providing quality physical
activity experiences for students, including increasing opportunities for students
to play and be active.
(NSW, 2011)

3. 
Physical activity is vital for a child’s development and lays the foundation for a healthy and
active life

The benefits of being active for young children include:
















Promoting healthy growth and development
Helping to achieve and maintain a healthy weight
Building strong bones and muscles
Improving cardiovascular fitness and cardiovascular health
Improving balance, coordination and strength
Maintaining and developing flexibility
Improving posture
Assisting with the development of gross motor and fine motor skills
Providing the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills
Helping to establish connections between different parts of the brain
Improving concentration and thinking skills
Improving confidence and self-esteem and establishes positive attitudes
Relieving stress and promoting relaxation
Providing opportunities to develop social skills and make friends
Improving sleep.
Overall improvement for child’s health
(Healthy Kids, 2013)

4. Only six out of 10 children aged between five and 14 years
participate in sport outside of school, according to the
Australian Bureau of Statistics.
 The Australian Health Survey conducted in April 2012
found that 25 per cent of Australian children and
teenagers, aged five to 17 years, are overweight or obese,
indicating that we need to foster a more sports-minded
culture that encourages children to be physically active.
 Around 40 per cent of Australian children don’t participate
in sport at all. Common sedentary activities that compete
with physical activity include: homework, computer
games ,internet use, and/or television.
(Better Health Channel, 2013)


5. The Australian Government recommends that:
‘Children and young people should participate in at
least 60 minutes (and up to several hours) of
moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity every
day’.
 ‘Children and young people should not spend more
than two hours a day using electronic media for
entertainment (such as computer games, internet,
TV), particularly during daylight hours’.
 These recommendations are a guide to the minimum
level of physical activity required for good health.
(Better Health Channel, 2013)


6. 

We need YOUR SUPPORT in order to provide the children with adequate
resources in order to increase these levels of physical activity to improve
overall health of all children!
What you can do:
 Parents can help their children to be physically active in a number of ways,
including: Lead by example – be physically active yourself.
 Make sure that some family outings offer opportunities for physical activity,
such as playing sport together.
 Encourage your child to walk or ride their bicycle for short trips, rather than
rely on you to drive them.
 Support your child’s efforts in sport. Make sure you’re there at each match,
cheering them on from the sidelines.
 Set time limits on sedentary activities like computer games and television.
 Consult with your child’s school on ways to encourage greater participation in
sports and physical activity.
(Better Channel Health, 2013)

7. 
Better Health Channel. (2013). Sport and Children: Benefits of sport for
children. Retrieved from
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sport_a
nd_children . - See more at:
http://reffor.us/index.php#sthash.1QKSM99y.dpuf

Healthy Kids. (2013). Why is physical activity important in early childhood
services for infants and young children?. Retrieved from
http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/teachers-childcare/physicalactivity.aspx.
- See more at: http://reffor.us/index.php#sthash.fpnsoFbT.dpuf

NSW Department of Education and Communities. (2011). Childhood
Obesity: The Problem is getting bigger. (Original work published 1999).
Retrieved from
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/ass
ets/pdf/csarticles/chobesity.pdf.
- See more at: http://reffor.us/index.php#sthash.o99Zo4yW.dpuf