Please note: The word parent/s is used in this guide to refer to parent/s or guardian/s. It may also be taken to include caregivers or close family members who are responsible for raising a child.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers play a crucial role in the health and well-being of their children and youth – and can positively influence their health education. When parents spend time talking about important health topics with their children or youth at home, they reinforce student learning in ways that correspond to their values, perspectives, identities, and beliefs.
Theory into Practice – Consider sharing questions and activities parents can use to explore current concepts from the curriculum.
Caring and honest communication benefits children and youth as well as their parents. Parents who provide their children or youth with a safe environment in which to discuss their experiences and emotions help their children and youth feel “heard” and understood. These are key elements of emotional well-beingi.
If parents have any questions or concerns about the content of the H&PE curriculum or the communication received from educators, they should discuss them with educators directly. Students benefit when parents and educators work together to provide a respectful, mutually supportive framework for health education.
Additional information regarding the role of parents, guardians, and caregivers in H&PE may be found on pages 14–16 of the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12, Health and Physical Education.
i Ophea. (2015, May 4). A holistic approach to mental health [web page content]. Retrieved from: https://www.ophea.net/article/holistic-approach-mental-health#.WmoQmGkbOM9
