Complementing the Australian primary school Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum: exploring children's HPE learning experiences within varying school ground equipment contexts |
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| Authors: | Brendon Hyndman Linda Mahony Aue Te Ava Sue Smith Georgie Nutton |
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| Institution: | International Graduate Centre of Education, School of Education, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia |
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| Abstract: | This paper unearths how primary school children experience and can complement the Australian HPE curriculum within three unique school ground equipment scenarios that include an ‘empty’, ‘loose parts’ and a ‘traditional’ school ground context. Using direct observation, 490 scans were undertaken of the school grounds over five days. Field note observations recorded children's HPE learning experiences according to the curriculum, and predominant physical activity types and intensities were recorded. Implementing a variety of school ground equipment provisions was revealed to be important compared to the ‘empty’ school ground context for primary school children to meet HPE curriculum objectives. |
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| Keywords: | Primary school curriculum Health and Physical Education (HPE) school grounds physical activity equipment |
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