Physical Education

A curriculum with elements of social and emotional learning helps kids develop good relationships with teammates and perform better.

Pickleball is an inclusive sport that focuses on strategy and team building and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This makes it perfect for elementary schools!

When gym class is a place where all students feel welcome, phys ed has the power to help kids develop lifelong habits of well-being.

Adding practices like reflective journaling, Socratic seminars, and team-building games to gym class is a perfect way for kids to learn and practice key SEL skills.

Use these games to engage even the students who don’t usually like to run.

Adding some movement to lessons not only engages and motivates students—research says it helps them recall and retain information. And it’s fun!

Physical education teaches relationship-building and self-management skills, making it a natural for social and emotional learning.

Incorporating exercise and movement throughout the school day makes students less fidgety and more focused on learning.

Physical activity provides an opportunity to build character, use teamwork, and foster a sense of belonging in schools.

Focus, emotion regulation, and goal setting are social and emotional learning skills that teachers can address during recess and PE.

Social and emotional learning skills like teamwork and community can be integrated into PE classes in ways that are highly engaging for students.

When students learn about climate change across the curriculum, they see different parts of the problem—and different ways to be part of the solution.

For many of these students, physical education activities can be difficult. Personalized stories that cast them as their favorite hero may motivate them to persevere.

A few inexpensive items and strict rules about Covid-19 protocols can allow schools to give students proper PE whether they’re in hybrid or remote learning.