Physical Education and Health

This assignment focuses on the importance of physical education and health in early childhood. It emphasizes the need to create a sense of community, develop social and emotional skills, and help children who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The assignment also highlights the role of parents and carers in supporting children's health and wellbeing. It is inclusive of gender, age, language, and any other background.

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Curriculum and Pedagogy 2
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Introduction
The portfolio deals with the materials suitable for teaching health and physical education
topics. The portfolio is designed to contain the critique of the materials and resources suitable
for teachers to use for children in their early life years (schooling and preschooling).
Position statement
The position statement on “importance of health and physical education” or HPE has
been developed based on knowledge from Australian curriculum a part of the role of the
Australian Council for heath, Physical Education and Recreation. It is the leading association
contributing towards promotion of the HPE in learning areas in schools. The curriculum of HPE
focuses on the 12 areas. It includes relationship and sexuality, health benefits of physical
activity, food and nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, fundamental and movement skills, mental
health and well being, safety, challenge and adventure activities, active play and minor games,
games and supports, rhythmic and expressive movement activities and lifelong physical activity,
(Lynch, 2014).
HPE is important as the preschool years, is the phase of important learning experience. In
this phase the growth and development tales place rapidly. It supports the cognitive, physical,
social, emotional, domains. Physical education is important as in all young children there is an
internal urge to strengthen body’s capacity for movement and become competent in the physical
skills (Lynch 2015). Physical activities are important for children as it is integral component of
everyday life. Movements are used by children to express their feelings, learn about objects and
world. Children are found happy on physical accomplishment. Thus, physical activity occurs in
many forms in early life (Lynch 2015). According to Stork and Sanders (2008), physical

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education helps provide children with opportunities to develop the psychomotor, cognitive,
social skills. The physical education having the playful nature has been considered an effective
option to develop all aspects of the personality in children. Several research findings revealed
that the school education program has been effective in child development physically Therefore,
school environment is effective in teaching children to grow healthy and remain active
(Hyndman et al., 2017).
HPE is important for assisting children in acknowledging the diversity in relation to
gander and sexuality. The HPE programs are thus designed by teachers to educate children about
the impact of diversity on social world. The importance of HPE in this regard is to provide
meaningful learning opportunities to same sex and gender diverse students. HPE in Australian
curriculum is designed in the manner that the meets the needs of children in the health focus area
of relationships and sexuality. Teachers are to ensure that the activities used are inclusive. The
education is designed to consider the lived experience of all the students. When teaching about
the reproduction and sexual health, the teachers ensure that the needs of children with gender
diverse, same sex attracted or intersex are met (McKay et al., 2017).
The teachers can use different pedagogical approaches For HPE. There are two
important strands that are interrelated and support each other. It includes “personal, social and
community health and movement and physical activity”. It is applicable for teaching right from
Foundation to Year 10. Teachers create opportunities for practical applications. It enhances the
knowledge, skills and understanding of variety of important and meaningful health and
movement focus areas. Teachers play a vital role in assisting children to make decision related to
health, and empower them to adopt them to make healthy behaviour. Thus, teachers design
activities where children learn about behavioural aspects associated with the physical activities

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(Tsangaridou 2017). Teachers develop content in the curriculum that enables children to
critically think about the factors influencing the health and well being of the communities.
Therefore, students are assisted to focus on range of health areas and issues. teachers use of
range of play activities, dramas, art, music, lesson plans for child acquisition of range of
movement skills, learn the meaning of physical activity, and importance of outdoor sports across
culture and time. Participation in various physical and movement activities helps children learn
personal and social skills such as decision making, communication, problem solving, creative
thinking, critical analysis and cooperation. Movement experiences also teach students about the
self management, self-awareness, strive for enhanced performance, and persist with challenges
(Garvis and Pendergast 2017).
Resources description and critique on physical health
1. Relationship and sexuality
Activity- talk about sex to children 5-8 years. The tips include keeping simple language
and maintain honesty. It may be okay to say “don’t know”. May involve parents and start
conversation with reference to the videos or TV shows. The rationale is increasing rate of
teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease in Australian and Indigenous communities

5CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGY 2What it is Website
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/
sex_education_young_children.html
Focus (topic) Area in AC:
HPE
Relationship and sexuality
Location in AC:HPE Foundation
Strand- Personal, social and community health
Sub strand- identify, self identities, changes and transitions, making
healthy and safe choices
ACPPS016
General capabilities- strong sense of identity
Integration Sex and relationship awareness
HPE- create poster and present videos and different types of sex and
relationships and read books on sexual diversity
Science- concepts of sex and reproduction,
Arts- play on gender diversity
Who it is to be used by Teachers and parents can ask students to verbalise their feelings about
sex and their relationships. Present the puberty and changes through
posters and ask child to take turn to talk about themselves. Children can
also engage with curiosity
Why it is beneficial It is beneficial for the student to understand the sex and sexuality, and
improve the child’s feeling about the body development. It will allow
children to better express the feelings of attraction, intimacy, and
affection for others. Children when grow up can develop affection for
others and marination respectful relationship with others.
How the resource would be
used
Gender diversity, express intersex and same sex attraction, value
diversity, understand emotions, health literacy, interaction with others
Limits and considerations It is inclusive of children irrespective of gender, language, cultural
diversity and ethnicity
It also includes children from physical and mental disability

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2. Food and nutrition
Information- Brochure informs of ways to boost brain with variety of foods is
highlighted. The pamphlet creates awareness of the nutrition education program for children
combined with thinking healthy. Applicable for children in kindergarten to 6th grade.
Malnutrition is the common issue in many Australian children especially those from remote and
socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
Critique-
What it is Pamphlet available at
http://sites.psu.edu/nutr360spr14/page/8/
Focus (topic) Area in AC: HPE Food and Nutrition
Location in AC:HPE Foundation
Strand- personal, social and community health
Sub strand- making healthy and safe choices, health
literacy, and connecting to the environment and
community health promotion,
(ACPPS054)
General capabilities- sense of well being
Integration Eat and think healthy
HPE- food and safety, nutrition and health benefits
Arts- paint or draw healthy foods
Science- foods containing vitamins and concepts
minerals and nutrition

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Arts- drawing and painting abstract concepts on
reproduction and sexual health
Who it is to be used by Teachers to present posters on good food and
taking care of body
Teacher to read out to the student about the play
and movement every day
Parents developing activity to help children list
their thoughts and feelings
Teachers and parents can ask children to right
things they like about themselves
Why it is beneficial It is beneficial as the student can learn to think
healthy. They may learn how to feel good about
themselves and ways to take care of body. It will
prevent health issues like obesity among children.
It will help children in self engagement.
How the resource would be used Collaboration, team work, decision making,
healthy behaviour, self fulfilment , self esteem,
health promotion and recognise illness
Limits and considerations It is inclusive of all children irrespective of age,
gender, physical disability and language
It also includes children with specific allergies to
learn how to choose healthy food
3. Mental health and well being

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Activity- It is an education to children on social and emotional skills, education skills and
sense of community using a framework, KidsMatter Early Childhood. The framework is the
guiding principles to help children with mental difficulties. It is useful in helping children to
create sense of community, work with parents and carers. Mental health is integral to
development of physical health. Mental health in early childhood ensures the social, behavioural
and emotional wellbeing in the young age.
Critique-

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What it is Book and journal
KidsMatter Early Childhood: A framework for
improving children's mental health and wellbeing
Component 1: The background to KidsMatter Early
Childhood
Component 2: Developing children's social and
emotional skills
Component 3 :Working with parents and carers
Component 4: Helping children who are
experiencing mental health difficulties
Focus (topic) Area in AC: HPE Mental health and well being (MH)
Location in AC:HPE Foundation-
Strand- Personal, society and community health
Sub strand- understanding emotions, connection
with environment
(ACPPS034)
General capabilities- strong sense of well being
Integration Grow with mind
Science- mental health concepts and impact on
physical well being
Arts- drama and play to foster the knowledge of
social inclusion
Mathematics- enhance problem solving, high IQ
Who it is to be used by Teachers may build arm and trusting relationships
with children and avoid discrimination and
isolation during role play. Teachers can use posters,
videos and create welcoming environment. Parents
can ask children to present positive and negative
responses through play
Why it is beneficial Students gain potential to manage the mental health

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4. Active play and minor games
Activity- Children to make 6’ parachute with handles and carry bag. It will help develop
motor and cognitive skills.
Critique-

11CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGY 2What it is Website
https://www.kaplanco.com/product/143851/6-
parachute-with-handles-and-carry-bag?c=12
Focus (topic) Area in AC: HPE Active play and minor games (AP)
Location in AC:HPE Strand- Movement and physical activity
Seastrand- moving the body, learning through
movement, understanding movement
ACPMP027
General capability- involved learning
Integration
HPE-safe areas for play, games with parachute
Science- colours and cognition
English-learn language by playing with parachute
Arts- draw parachute, dance using active play
material
Who it is to be used by Teachers to negotiate making parachute and take a
walk with parachute, discuss inventions of
parachute and its uses. Students and parents can
also initiate the activity
Why it is beneficial It is beneficial in developing skills such as
problem solving, negotiation, persistence, planning
and cooperation. It is helpful in motor
development’
How the resource would be used Small group games, imaginative play,
collaboration, team work
Limits and considerations It will include all the students and even those with
disability. Children will have choice in choosing
colours of carrybags. Involvement of cultural and
social resources.

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5. Fundamental Motor skills
Activity name- Jump rope for heart
This activity will help enhance children physical activity to keep them fit and healthy. It
allows children to learn physical activities like rope-jumping to build stamina. It is easy for
teachers to run the program and is easily adaptable to school calendar. The rationale is to
promote healthy development of body parts such as heart.
Critique-

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What it is Jump rope for heart
Website- : https://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/teachers-
childcare/healthy-lifestyle-programs-for-primary-schools/
jump-rope-for-heart.aspx
Focus (topic) Area in AC: HPE Fundamental motor skills (FMS)
Location in AC:HPE Foundation
Strand: Personal social and community health
Sub strand- it is the play where children participates and
engage with other children in outdoor setting
Strand- movement and physical activity
Sub strand- refining movement skills and development of
movement, concepts and strategies, understanding physical
fitness and physical active.
(ACPPS007)
Genera capabilities- socially responsible and belongingness
to community
Integration Jump to grow
HPE- FMS – safe areas to jump, skip with rope, and play in
the natural world
Integrated in English- learn language of movement,
mathematics- spatial concepts, counting while skipping
Who it is to be used by Teachers in the class engage children in jumping events or
small competitions in the garden and play with rope. Discuss
health benefits and fitness. Parents can also use the activity
for children due to ease of access to activity
Why it is beneficial Students gain knowledge of place, learn to bond with others,
while developing health, improving motor functions and
growth of body parts. Also gain playful learning
opportunities

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6. Rhythmic and expressive movement activities
Activity- Yoga for kids with song
The activity will help learn different body movements with fun. The teachers must play a
sing and teach movements and yoga while making sense to the lyrics. It helps children to
navigate the life challenges through techniques of relaxation, self health and inner fulfilment.
Critique-

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What it is Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFe0I8kkFOg
Focus (topic) Area in AC: HPE Rhythmic and expressive activities (RE)
Location in AC:HPE Foundation
Strand: movement and physical activity
Sub strand- understanding the elements of the
movement, fitness and physical activity, refinement
of movement skills, develop concept and strategies
of movement (ACPMP064)
General capability- effective communicators
Integration Growing and moving with rhythm
HPE: dance to music, while exercising, learn
movements and directions
English- learn songs in different languages and
learn abstract concepts
Mathematics- learning with numbers say figure 8
drawn with dance, spatial concepts
Art- drama with dance
Who it is to be used by Teachers can use the video to teach and discuss the
different movements. Initiate yoga classes for mind
and body development
Teacher can create indoor or outdoor recess
activities, create brain breaks and lessons in group
activity using the kinaesthetic process. Parents may
not have awareness to participate
Why it is beneficial It is helpful for children with broken backs. It is fun
way to teach yoga and teach different poses with
song. It helps build vocabulary while improving

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