Strategies for Implementing Social-Emotional Learning in Adapted Physical Education

Abstract

Benefits of developing SEL skills can include improved academic success, emotional health, increased patience for problem solving, and enhanced emotional control and regulation (Ciotto & Gagnon, 2018). Physical education (PE) can be used as an avenue to teach SEL skills by connecting the affective domain (Ciotto & Gagnon, 2018) with the five SEL competencies of: (a) self-awareness, (b) social-awareness, (c) self-management, (d) relationship skills, and (e) responsible decision-making. We offer that SEL is important for all students and can support students with special needs, including those not in general education classrooms, when implemented with appropriate modifications. The purpose of this article is to provide adapted physical educators with two strategies for developing and implementing SEL within APE programs: Restorative Justice Circles (Anfara et al., 2013; Suvall, 2009) and TPSR (Hellison, 2003).