New PDHPE syllabus spotlight highlights self-management and interpersonal skills from early childhood

A new syllabus spotlight video supporting the NSW Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) K–6 Syllabus is now available, providing educators with an in-depth look at how students develop self-management and interpersonal skills from the early years of schooling.

The video explores how children learn to understand themselves, manage emotions, communicate effectively and build healthy relationships across the classroom, playground and wider community.

Available through the NSW Curriculum website, the spotlight forms part of the broader rollout and implementation support for the updated PDHPE K–6 Syllabus (2024).

The new syllabus is scheduled for implementation from 2027, with 2026 serving as a planning and preparation year for schools.

A stronger focus on social and emotional capability

The updated PDHPE syllabus places strong emphasis on the development of social, emotional and interpersonal capabilities, recognising their importance in supporting wellbeing, learning, resilience and respectful relationships.

The syllabus is structured around four focus areas:

• movement skill and physical activity
• respectful relationships and safety
• identity, health and wellbeing
• self-management and interpersonal skills.

Within the self-management and interpersonal skills focus area, students progressively build skills including:

• self-awareness
• emotional regulation
• communication
• cooperation
• resilience
• help-seeking
• relationship building
• respectful interaction with others.

For early childhood educators and primary teachers, the spotlight reinforces the importance of the social and emotional foundations children begin developing well before formal schooling.

These capabilities underpin children’s ability to participate in learning, navigate relationships, regulate behaviour, solve problems and engage positively with peers and adults.

Building skills across K–6

The spotlight video provides practical insight into how self-management and interpersonal skills are intentionally embedded across learning experiences from Kindergarten through to Year 6.

It includes:

• examples of how these skills develop over time
• classroom-based illustrations
• connections to whole-school wellbeing approaches
• guidance for embedding explicit teaching within everyday practice.

The NSW Curriculum website notes that students begin by identifying and demonstrating self-management and interpersonal skills in Early Stage 1, before progressively applying these skills more independently and across increasingly complex situations throughout primary school.

The syllabus rationale also highlights that PDHPE learning experiences are designed to help students build:

• connection and identity
• resilience and confidence
• respectful relationships
• the ability to take positive action regarding health, safety and wellbeing in both online and offline environments.

Relevance for early childhood and transition to school

While the syllabus is designed for K–6 education, the spotlight has clear relevance for the early childhood sector, particularly in relation to transition to school and continuity of learning.

The emphasis on emotional regulation, communication, resilience and relationship-building closely aligns with the capabilities nurtured through play-based learning, responsive relationships and everyday routines within early childhood settings.

For educators, the spotlight reinforces the importance of intentional teaching approaches that support children’s social and emotional development alongside academic learning.

Educators can watch the K–6 PDHPE syllabus spotlight: Self-management and interpersonal skills video here.

Further information about the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K–6 Syllabus (2024) is available through the NSW Curriculum website.