PHE Journal

[ Feature Article ] In May 2024, PHE Canada hosted the PHE Thinkers Gathering in Saskatoon, bringing together 100+ leaders to address a key challenge in education. This year’s focus was on boys and young men struggling in schools. PHE Canada is committed to fostering empathy, accountability, and resilience in boys while promoting gender equity and social justice. Changing the narrative on masculinity requires collective reflection and action.

[ Feature Article ] As we work towards decolonizing our classrooms and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, we have identified three key strategies for fostering a more inclusive pedagogy in physical education, (a) adopting the medicine wheel to communicate classroom expectations, (b) building connections to the land through outdoor teaching and learning, and (c) integrating oral story telling into instructional practice. We hope this article provides teachers with actionable pathways to create a holistic, safe, and inclusive physical education environment that honours Indigenous perspectives.

[ Feature Article ] New Year’s resolutions often reinforce harmful body image standards and diet culture, but educators have a unique role in promoting body diversity and dismantling weight stigma. By fostering inclusive, weight-neutral classrooms, teachers can encourage students to critically analyze social media messaging, trust their bodies, and adopt holistic wellness practices. Practical strategies include exploring non-physical traits, creating courage cards, and engaging in digital literacy discussions. Supporting students with weight-neutral approaches and SMART goal setting can shift the focus from dieting to celebrating body diversity and fostering positive self-esteem.

[ Research ] Service learning can facilitate learning how to promote physical activity and health to children. Mixed methods examined students’ perceived awareness, knowledge, confidence, attitude, and control in promoting physical activity and health to children in an after-school program, Fit 4 Life. This paper shares results from three interrelated studies related to university student learning about physical activity and health promotion with children.

[ Feature Article ] This article is two of a series of three about two teacher education programs, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in Norway and Mount Royal University (MRU) in Calgary, collaboration in the field of Physical and Outdoor Education in teacher education. Written by three teacher educators, these articles are useful to those in the PHE field(s) in schools and in higher education. They demonstrate how there is much to learn from looking beyond our own borders through international partnerships engagement which can support everyone’s professional development, practice and pedagogy, philosophies of learning and teaching, and friendships.

[ Feature Article ] "In order to make better choices, we need to be calm." Nervous system regulation plays a vital role in creating a supportive classroom environment. Educator Keri Albert shares practical techniques like breathing exercises, movement, and mindfulness to help PHE teachers manage stress and guide students toward emotional balance. By fostering calmness, educators can enhance decision-making and promote a healthier learning experience for everyone.