WHAT DOES SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION?

DIANA MCCREERY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

First, let’s look at what each one means individually…Social development is gradually gaining certain skills such as language and personal skills, attitudes, relationships, and behavior that enable the individual to interact with others and to function as a member of society. Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors through physical activity and physical fitness. When these two skills are married together you get a functional and beautiful class of PE!

PE class is often all about playing; and, this is great because play is probably the number one way children develop socially. Every time students play a new game or sport, or enter into a familiar one, they have to make decisions about leadership, cooperation, and mutual respect for one another. One way we promote social development in PE is to incorporate as many cooperative games, or games that involve cooperation and communication, into each class. For instance, instead of playing a regular game of dodge ball, we elevate the game by adding challenges or levels that the groups of students have to complete by working together. When students work together toward a mutual goal, they see each other as ‘whole’ and learn to pay attention to the strengths, weaknesses and needs of others in their community.

There are many skills that go into building social development, but these four skills are the pillars of healthy social development:

Cooperation and Communication: Social success relies on the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately. Simple tasks such as offering compliments to all and promoting positive behavior after not winning a game are mastered with practice. Team sports are excellent ways to teach communication between teammates and opposing team members as well as enhance confidence.

Self-confidence and Self-esteem: Physical education instills a stronger sense of self-worth in students based on their mastery of skills and concepts in physical activity. They can become more confident, assertive, independent and self-controlled. When all students are communicating and building each other up, the students go beyond their individual limits with greater success.

Peer Relationships: Physical education can be a major force in helping students socialize with others successfully and provide opportunities to learn positive people skills. Especially during late childhood and adolescence, being able to participate in games and sports is an important part of peer culture.

Responsibility: Physical education can influence moral development. Students have the opportunity to assume leadership, cooperate with others, question actions and regulations, and accept responsibility for their own behavior.

When all these skills are in practice, the students are able to communicate and have healthy problem solving skills to accomplish goals together as a TEAM.