Addressing Psychosocial Issues in Physical Education

This textbook takes pre-service and current Physical Education teachers through some of the most common psychosocial challenges PK-12 students face and recommends ways to support them within and beyond the 'gymnasium' classroom. Each chapter blends theoretical perspectives and real-world examples to foster connections with students, developing relationships that support their social, emotional, and physical health, and, ultimately, their academic progress. The content of this book guides studying and practicing physical educators in building relationships with their students, enabling trust, increasing engagement, and improving overall outcomes. Within these chapters, the author covers the topics of anxiety, self-regulation, trauma, bullying, and diversity issues that impact students daily and provides related scenarios educators might encounter. Case studies and discussion questions help scaffold every topic for course use and are based on best practices from the author's own Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Education module. This book is geared toward undergraduate and graduate PETE students taking psychosocial or related courses as well as student and full-time teachers. The author promotes future and current educators' understanding of important factors affecting student learning both in and outside of the gymnasium, increasing both physical and emotional safety during movement activities.

Matthew R. Martin is a Professor of Physician Education at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), where he has been teaching a Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Education course for 13 years, with 24 years teaching experience working with PETE undergraduate and graduate students.

1. Connecting with Students: Steps to Establish a Caring Environment in the Gymnasium 2. Motivating Students in Physical Education 3. Connecting with the Diverse Student 4. Supporting Students with Mental Health Conditions 5. Trauma-Informed Practices: Supporting Students with Toxic Stress 6. Mindfulness and Co-Regulation: Managing Big Emotions 7. Supporting Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) 8. Preventing Bullying in Schools: Fostering Student Connection and Safety