The Importance of K-12 Physical Education Classes on a Child’s Social Emotional Learning and Development

Abstract

Physical education is a subject that goes far beyond teaching students essential skills in movement and sport. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop critical skills to build their social-emotional learning through physical activity. It is crucial that physical education teachers create environments in which social-emotional learning (SEL) is possible which can be done through various pedagogical approaches. The purpose of this synthesis project is to review the literature on the importance of K-12 physical education classes on a child’s social-emotional learning and development.