Healthy Habits, Happy Classrooms in PDHPE!

 Primary school teachers have a lot on their plates when it comes to curriculum delivery. With constant changes happening across all key learning areas, it can be difficult to keep up and incorporate new requirements into an already busy schedule. Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) is no exception, with new syllabi rolling out over the next decade.

Break it Down into Health and Physical Education
One way to make K-6 PDHPE more manageable is to break it down into its two main components - the theory part of health and the physical education part. Dedicate specific time each week to health lessons to ensure this important area doesn't get overlooked. For physical education, incorporating movement into the daily schedule through activities like morning runs can help energise students for learning. Setting aside regular slots for sport lessons taught by specialists and other physical activities throughout the week helps meet mandated minutes for movement.

An even better way to work is to incorporate your K-6 PDHPE lessons into themes rather than separating your content into sport/prac and health. Logistics are always hard for primary schools to make sure the kids are wearing the right gear, but if you can try to embed opportunities for students to understand a healthy lifestyle is a balance between health and movement. 

Focus on Fundamental Skills, Not Specific Sports
Rather than feeling pressure to teach every sport under the sun, focus on fundamental movement skills. Breaking down skills like ball handling, agility and coordination takes the emphasis off learning specific sports. Incorporating games students enjoy is a fun way to practise these skills regularly while building consistency. Teachers and more capable students can demonstrate parts of sports to build understanding without needing encyclopaedic sport knowledge. A game-based approach or Game Sense Approach through modified games with purpose also makes skills learning an engaging experience for students.

Prioritise Relationships and Wellbeing
With high-stakes testing like NAPLAN and curriculum changes putting pressure on
K-6 teachers, it's important not to lose sight of why we teach. Relationships must come before perfection in the classroom. Students need connection more than cramming in content. Taking time for health lessons allows meaningful discussions and opportunities for students to open up. Movement breaks energise students and support mindfulness, wellbeing and time outdoors - all valuable lifelong lessons. Keeping less-sporty students engaged is also crucial for an inclusive classroom where all students can shine.

Collaborate and Ask for Help
Teachers don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to K-6 PDHPE planning. Connecting with colleagues through established communities and Facebook Groups provides a wealth of shared resources, like sample units of work. Students can also help by demonstrating skills and games from sports they play. Don't be afraid to ask more experienced teachers or specialists at your school for guidance either. Working together supports an efficient and sustainable approach over the long term.

With strategic planning and a focus on the big-picture goals of PDHPE, primary teachers can feel empowered delivering this important learning area amidst all their other responsibilities. Prioritising relationships, fundamental skills and collaboration sets both teachers and students up for ongoing success.