PE class - A small change in focus is all it takes!
Incorporating mindset skills into physical education classes can be done through simple, effective, and engaging activities. Here are some ideas:
Mindful Warm-up: During warm up activities, focus student attention on how movement can increase positivity, energy levels, enhance concentration and improve motivation. This could be discussed during guided breathing exercises or stretching activities where there is time to bring awareness to how movement can assist students during stressful circumstances i.e. exam or assessment stress and pressure.
Goal-setting Stations: Set up stations where students can create and track their fitness goals. Provide goal-setting worksheets or charts for students to write down their specific goals, steps to achieve them and progress updates. Encourage students to revisit and reflect on their goals periodically. Discuss the importance of celebrating small wins and not being disheartened by setbacks as it takes time for adjustment to occur.
Reflection Journals: Allocate a few minutes at the end of each class for students to reflect on their experiences. Provide reflection prompts related to mindset skills, such as challenges they overcame, strategies they used to stay motivated or lessons learned from their physical activities. Students can write or discuss their reflections in small groups or with a partner. This encourages students to learn from others and to develop the confidence to speak about their goals, both of which are crucial aspects when committing to goals in life.
Positive Self-Talk Exercises: Integrate activities that promote positive self-talk during physical activities. Teach students the power of using affirmations or positive phrases to overcome difficulties and boost confidence. Encourage them to practice positive self-talk while engaging in challenging exercises or during team sports to motivate peers.
Team-building Challenges: Incorporate team-building activities that require students to communicate, collaborate and problem-solve together. These activities foster a growth mindset, resilience and teamwork. For example, obstacle course challenges that require students to work together to overcome physical obstacles can promote teamwork and problem-solving skills. After the session, ask students to relate this activity to obstacles that may occur in life and how they can be overcome.
Visualization Exercises: Guide students through visualization exercises before engaging in physical activities. Have them imagine themselves successfully completing a skill, reaching a fitness goal or performing well in a sports game. Visualization helps students develop a positive mindset, build confidence, and improve performance. The more this skill is practiced, the more naturally it will occur.
Reflective Discussions: Allocate time for open-ended discussions where students can share their experiences, challenges and successes. Encourage them to discuss mindset-related topics, such as the importance of perseverance, the impact of positive thinking, or strategies for managing setbacks. These discussions promote self-reflection, peer learning and the development of a growth mindset.
Mindfulness in Movement: Incorporate mindfulness practices into physical activities themselves. Encourage students to pay attention to their body movements, sensations and breath while engaging in exercises or sports. This helps them develop present-moment awareness, focus and a deeper connection between mind and body. This can also be helpful in overcoming nerves, increasing the ability to perform under pressure, react and interact with confidence, develop an appreciation for team-work and to notice internal and external feedback and how to use it.
Remember to vary the activities and make them age-appropriate, fun and interactive to keep students engaged and motivated. By integrating these simple and engaging approaches, physical education classes can effectively foster mindset skills in students, helping them notice the development of resilience, self-belief and the power of a positive and productive mindset.