The Manitoba Health Education Curriculum focuses on promoting the development of positive lifestyle practices in students from kindergarten through grade nine. The core units of the program are: (1) social-emotional well-being; (2) physical well-being; (3) nutrition; (4) dental health; (5) safety; and (6) environmental health. This overview offers the rationale for developing the program and includes discussions on the present status of health education in Canada, as well as a recapitulation of health education learning theory and current knowledge about the developmental stages of children and adolescents. The structure, goals, and objectives of the program are described. Specific guidelines are offered for both teachers and administrators for the implementaion of the curriculum. Also included are optional units on drug education, and family life education; a scope and sequence chart is given and 12 references are listed. (JD)