TOWARDS WHOLENESS: THE JOY OF LIFE (PDHPE) K-10 RESOURCE

Stage Three: Catholic Perspective

Strand: Healthy, Safe and Active Lifestyles

Key Inquiry Question One: How responsible am I for my own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing?

Health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity in the community

All human persons are made in the 'image and likeness of God' (Gen 1:27).

What does this mean?

Since God is a community of perfect love, between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit then we being made in God's image, are also created for friendship and community (translated from YouCat #35).

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Holy Trinity are a self gift to each other and therefore we are called to be a self gift to each other in our community. Being a self gift, is showing self sacrificial love for the good of other people.

Helping others in our community

It is our responsibility to act in a safe way and look after each other. If some people don't act safely and follow rules then that puts everyone else in danger too. We can be a great gift to everyone by putting safety first.

Our friends often listen to us and can copy our behaviour. We can be a gift to others by being a really good example. If we are healthy and bring fruit, vegetables, healthy sandwiches and drinking lots of water at school, this can show our friends and others the importance of healthy eating. We can encourage our friends as well to eat healthy which has so many benefits.

Other ways we can be a good example, is to help our friends and others with their worries and troubles. If you see your friends or other students worried and troubled, you should encourage them to tell a teacher or parent about it. You should also tell the teacher, as this is being a great gift to them. Also, you could encourage others to pray and maybe take them to the chapel at lunch or say a prayer with them and for them in your own time. These are ways we can help the wellbeing of others, by being a gift to them.

Sometimes there are differences in opinions in the community. This can sometimes cause conflict and disagreements. It is essential to always be respectful to people and violence is never the answer. But that does not mean accepting all behaviours, as some behaviours can be good and some actions and decisions can be bad. We must use the 'Truth' of Christ as our guide when making decisions and help others come to the Truth of Christ as we know that God is Love (1 Jn 4:8) and his Truth is the best for us.

Ideas for Classroom Questions: Health, safety, wellbeing and physical activity in the community

How can I help others be healthier?

What strategies can I use, when I have a different opinion to others?

Key Inquiry Question Two: What actions positively influence the health, safety and wellbeing of my community?

Promoting health, safety and wellbeing

Humans are different to the rest of creation. We have a body (like the animals) but also have a spiritual soul (which allows us to love, choose, create, think, imagine, reflect). Only humans are made in God's image and likeness (Gen 1:27).

God has given us a body so that we can be a gift to others and so that we can visibly show friendship and love. We are made for community and therefore we should all help each other and put each other's good before ourselves.

See Health, wellbeing and prayer

Being physically healthy is about physical exercise and eating the right food. We should regularly eat from the five food groups (vegetables, fruits, dairy, grain and meats). Eating too much chocolate, drinking too much soft drinks and sitting around watching too much tv or playing too computer is not good for your health. We have to look after our bodies, as they are a gift from God. We can be a good example to others by encouraging each other to be healthy. Not only is healthy eating important, but social and emotional health is crucial too. Keeping safe online should be a priority as the internet and social media can be places where goodness can be found but also where dangers can be present (see Mobile phones and social media).

Active Lifestyle

God has blessed us all with bodies which allows people to participate in sport, exercise and all kinds of fitness. Sport and Exercise is not only very beneficial for our bodies but also is an opportunity to share in fun, sportsmanship, team building and appreciation of the wonderful talents that people have. An active lifestyle is beneficial not only for physical health but also for mental, social and emotional wellness. We should try and go for walks, run in the park, go for rides on our bikes and scooters. Sitting down playing computers games or watching too much television, is not good for our health.

Ideas for Classroom Questions: Promoting health, safety and wellbeing

What are ways that I can promote health, safety and wellbeing in school and outside of school?

How can I stay safe online?

How can I be more physically active? Why is this important for my mental health?

Sacred Scripture Passage(s)

Gen 1:27

Key Inquiry Question Three: How does a healthy, safe and active lifestyle enhance connection with others?

Being Healthy

God loves every person infinitely. 'Life and physical health are gifts entrusted to us by God' and it's everyones responsibility to not only take care of oneself but also look to the needs of others (CCC 2288). Our bodies are 'temples of the holy spirit' (1 Cor 6:19) and our given to us to visibly show God's love to others, by helping others and doing charitable acts. We must respect our own bodies and look after them but not become obsessed with them (YouCat #388).

God has blessed us with a body and a mind and anything which intentionally damages our mind and bodies is an offence against God. We have to be careful of substances like alcohol, tobacco and analgesics, as they can be misused and cause damage for our minds and bodies.

Health campaigns are important as they can remind people of improving their health. God wants all of us to look after ourselves and be healthy. Time should be spent planning how we can improve our health by either being more active, or eating healthier foods.

Ideas for Classroom Questions: Being Healthy

What is my plan to be more healthy?

Why does God want me to look after my mind and body?

Sacred Scripture Passage(s)

1 Cor 6:19

Influences from media and people in the community

Decision Making

In all stages of life, we are faced with decisions that have to be made. Some decisions can be very easy to make but sometimes we are faced with difficult decisions. The media as well as different people we come across often can confuse our decision making process, due to their own opinions on things. It is really important that we are very careful about the decisions we make and our best guide to making the right decision is Christ himself, as he is the 'Way, the Truth and the Life' (Jn 14:6).

The Catholic faith teaches us, for an act to be good it must satisfy three conditions.

1. The Act itself (CCC 1755)

A bad act can never be morally good, no matter how good the intention is. Some acts are wrong no matter what, such as murder, stealing, lying and cheating.

2. The Person’s intention (CCC 1752, 1753)

The intention for the act is important. A good act, can be considered bad, if the intention is not good.

3. The Circumstances (CCC 1754)

The circumstances, which includes the consequences of the act, can make an act better or worse. However, the circumstances cannot change an act from good to bad or bad to good.

Family, peers, media and the culture can be very strong influences on people. It is really important to therefore think through decisions and think about upholding people's dignity. We are created for community and friendships and therefore we should look to the truth of Christ for guidance and inspiration.

Ideas for Classroom Questions: Group work

What are some positive and negative messages from the media?

How can I use the three step process to think through a difficult decision?

Sacred Scripture Passage(s)

Jn 14:6

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