Personal health teaching resources

Personal health refers to the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, encompassing a wide range of factors such as nutrition, exercise, hygiene, sleep, stress management, and self-care practices. In the context of education, personal health is a crucial component of the Health and Physical Education curriculum in New Zealand. Teaching personal health helps students build knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, develop healthy habits, and understand the importance of looking after themselves and others. Lessons and resources tagged with ‘personal health’ might include activities on healthy eating, regular physical activity, recognising and managing emotions, setting personal goals, and understanding the effects of lifestyle choices. Teachers use these resources to foster students’ self-awareness, resilience, and ability to maintain their own health, which supports both learning and overall quality of life. Emphasising personal health in the classroom encourages lifelong positive behaviours and empowers students to take responsibility for their wellbeing.