This post is all about how PE promotes social-emotional learning.

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Social-emotional learning (SEL) is such an important part of any classroom. It is no longer something that’s ‘just nice to have’ It’s a crucial part of helping students develop skills like self-awareness, empathy, and teamwork. But with busy schedules, teachers often wonder: how can I fit SEL into my day?

PE (Physical Education) is a natural setting for SEL growth. Through movement, games, and teamwork, students can learn to regulate emotions, build relationships, and develop essential social-emotional skills without even realising it. How many of us have seen students experience heightened emotions during PE?

In this post, we’ll explore how PE promotes social-emotional learning, highlight the SEL skills students can develop, and share 5 simple activities you can use to support SEL during PE classes.

SEL Skills Developed Through PE

Physical Education provides so many opportunities for students to learn and develop social-emotional skills. This all happens in a natural environment without the students even realising the important skills that they are learning. There are countless opportunities for students to practice and develop social-emotional skills in an authentic, hands-on way. Here’s how each core SEL skill can be fostered through PE:

1. Self-Awareness

Students learn to recognise their emotions and physical reactions during PE. For example, they may notice feelings of excitement, frustration, or nervousness during a competitive game. Encouraging students to reflect on these feelings builds self-awareness and awareness of others.

Example: “How did you feel when you got out? What did you do to stay calm and try again?”

2. Self-Management

Physical activity teaches students to manage emotions and behaviours, especially in competitive or challenging situations. Whether they’re coping with losing a game or reacting after making the winning shot, PE helps build emotional regulation and perseverance.

Example: “When you felt frustrated, you took a deep breath and kept going—that’s great self-management!”

3. Social Awareness

Working in teams or pairs allows students to practice empathy, inclusion, and understanding. Teamwork is arguably one of the hardest skills for students to learn but one of the most important. Learning to consider other people and their feelings is a massive step in child development. They learn to consider their peers’ perspectives, celebrate differences, and recognise how their actions impact others.

Example: “How can we make sure everyone feels included in this game?” “I loved how you passed the ball to your teammates”

4. Relationship Skills

PE naturally promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Students build trust and friendships by working together to achieve shared goals during group activities or team games.

Example: “What did you say to encourage your teammates when they were struggling?” “how did you support each other on the court?

5. Responsible Decision-Making

Through games and activities, students learn to make thoughtful decisions under pressure, whether it’s strategizing during a relay race or resolving a conflict with a peer. They practice evaluating consequences and making choices that benefit the team. These interchangeable skills are so important for students to learn.

Example: “Why did you decide to pass the ball to your teammate instead of taking the shot yourself?”

5 Activities That Show How PE Promotes Social-Emotional Learning

Here are five simple and easy, engaging activities you can incorporate into PE to foster SEL:

1. Team-Building Relay Races

Relay races are a classic PE activity that promotes teamwork, communication, and trust. This is a quick and easy activity to set up and adjust depending on the equipment you have available to you.

How it works:

Split students into teams. Each team completes a relay challenge (e.g., dribbling a ball, balancing a beanbag, or a simple three-legged race).
Emphasise that cheering for teammates, encouraging effort, and finishing as a team are just as important as winning.

SEL Focus: Teamwork, relationship skills, and positive communication.

2. Partner Yoga for Trust and Focus

Partner yoga is an excellent way to promote trust, focus, and emotional regulation.

How it works:

Pair students up and teach simple partner yoga poses like Double Tree Pose or Seated Twist.
Encourage students to focus on their breathing and work together to hold each pose.

SEL Focus: Self-awareness, emotional regulation, and trust.

This yoga freebie is an easy way to integrate social-emotional learning in your classroom. Sign up using the form blow to receive your freebie and become apart of the team.

3. Reflection Circles After Games

A reflection circle after physical activities allows students to process their emotions and build social awareness.

After every single PE lesson, it is so important to come together to reflect and discuss what they’ve learnt. PE isn’t just going outside to play a random game or to burn off some energy. These reflection circles can make PE so much more meaningful.

How it works:

After a game or activity, gather students in a circle. Ask open-ended questions like:
- How did you feel during the game?
- What did you notice about how you worked as a team?
- What would you do differently next time?
Encourage respectful listening and sharing.

SEL Focus: Self-awareness, communication, and social awareness.

4. Cooperative Parachute Games

Parachute activities are a fun and inclusive way to promote teamwork and empathy.

This is a great one because if 1 person decides not to do it properly, the game will not work. This is aimed for the younger students but I know the older students love it too.

How it works:

Use a parachute for group activities like Popcorn (tossing softballs into the parachute) or Mushroom (raising and lowering the parachute together).
Encourage students to work together to achieve the goal, emphasising that everyone’s effort matters.

SEL Focus: Collaboration, inclusion, and teamwork.

5. Literally any team sport!!

Anything where students have to work together as a team will promote social-emotional learning.

Why:

Students learn to work together to achieve a shared goal
Team sport encourages clear communication in a way that the students might not be used to
They enhance social skills by building friendships and encouraging your teammates.
Gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills such as decision-making and setting an example to others.
Conflict resolution by resolving disagreements and managing emotions constructively.

You can play team sports as a whole class or split the class into groups and play multiple games at the same time. Whatever works best for you and your students.

SEL Focus: Emotional awareness, empathy, and self-regulation.

These PE resources provide a helpful start for anyone who is stuck on how to use PE to promote social-emotional learning in your classroom:

Tips for Teachers: Reinforcing SEL During PE

To maximise the SEL benefits of PE, try these practical tips:

Praise SEL Skills: Highlight moments where students demonstrate kindness, teamwork, or self-control. For example: “I loved how you encouraged your teammate during the relay race!”
Use Reflective Questions: Encourage students to think about their emotions and behaviours after games. Ask questions like:
- How did you feel during the activity?
- What strategies did you use to stay calm or work together?
- This where that reflective circle is key!
Model SEL Language: Use phrases that promote SEL, such as:
- “How can we make sure everyone feels included?”
- “It’s okay to feel frustrated—what can you do to calm yourself down?”
Celebrate Growth: Focus on progress, not perfection. Praise effort, teamwork, and resilience rather than just winning.

Using this language will completely elevate your PE lessons. By intentionally reinforcing SEL during PE, you’ll help students develop lifelong skills that extend far beyond the gym.

Why PE Is Perfect for SEL Growth

Physical education is so much more than just going out for a quick game or burning off energy. It’s a powerful opportunity to teach students essential SEL skills like teamwork, empathy, and self-awareness. By integrating activities that focus on emotional regulation, collaboration, and communication, you’ll help your students thrive not just during PE lessons but in the classroom as well. This will be an absolute game-changer for your kids.

Ready to see how PE promotes social-emotional learning in your own class? Try these 5 activities and watch your students grow! I would love to hear how you get on in the comments!