The Ontario HPE Curriculum Builds Life Skills

The Health and Physical Education Curriculum is more than just "Gym".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

"Life skills are defined as “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with and manage their lives in a healthy and productive manner. Life skills may be directed toward personal actions or actions toward others, as well as toward actions to change the surrounding environment to make it conducive to health (WHO).”

With the World Health Organization's definition in mind, these essential life skills are applied within the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum. During my last practicum, I was tasked with developing a unit plan to meet HPE curriculum expectation D1.2: Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours. These lessons provided students with opportunities to enhance their decision-making strategies and make safe personal choices concerning gambling, as well as the use of tobacco, vaping, cannabis, and legal and illegal drugs.

L1_G6_7_SubstanceUseAddictionRelatedbehaviours.pdf

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Above is a minds on lesson I designed to test my class' background knowledge related to drugs and alcohol

Substance Use and Abuse is one of the four topics and specific strands under Healthy Living strand (D.) in the Ontario Curriculum, Grade 7. the other three topics are:

• Healthy Eating

• Personal Safety and Injury Prevention

• Human Development and Sexual Health

According to CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), substance abuse and dependency has affected many families and individuals. "It is estimated that four out of 10 people in Ontario have or have had a family member or friend who has experienced a problem related to substance abuse (CAMH, 2024)." Early education and prevention are crucial in addressing these issues before they escalate. Despite the challenges associated with discussing such topics, substance use and drug abuse are real issues that can impact children from a young age. Recognizing this, the Ontario Ministry of Education has implemented lessons focusing on Substance Use and Drug Abuse to equip students with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and avoid potential risks.

Indeed, these lessons play a vital role in enhancing students' social-emotional learning skills, which is a specific strand in the HPE curriculum. Through these lessons, students learn to:

a) Identify healthy and risky behaviors within themselves and among their peers; b) Recognize how mental health issues can contribute to abusive behaviors toward drugs or alcohol; and c) Understand that excessive drinking, gambling, or drug use can have significant impacts on one's physical and mental health.

By addressing these aspects, students gain essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, promote well-being, and navigate challenges related to substance use and abuse.

I divided my grade 6s and 7s into groups to discuss and grapple real-life situations around substance abuse, alcohol consumption and gambling. Questions and scenarios were inspired by Elementary School Resources from Alberta Health Services

Group exercises involving hypothetical scenarios offer students valuable opportunities to share experiences, expand their understanding, and develop critical thinking skills when confronted with challenging situations involving drugs, gambling, or alcohol. By engaging in these exercises, educators provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and shared experiences, equipping them to make informed decisions in real-world scenarios. This not only enhances students' awareness but also highlights the comprehensive nature of the Health and Physical Education curriculum for both students and parents alike.

Sources:

Alberta Health Services. (2024). Junior High School Resources Teachers &

Educators, Addiction & Mental Health. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page2684.aspx

CAMH. (2024). Primary Education Resources for Teachers

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/primary-education-resources-for-teachers