Physical education (PE) has long been recognized for its role in developing physical fitness and motor skills (Bailey, 2006). However, its potential to foster social competence among students has often been overlooked. A new intervention protocol published in Frontiers in Psychology on February 18, 2025, addresses this gap by introducing a theory-based intervention aimed at enhancing social skills within PE settings.
The article, titled "Strengthening social skills: developing a social competence intervention for physical education using intervention mapping", presents an innovative approach to integrating social competence development into PE curricula. It utilizes the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol (Bartholomew Eldredge et al., 2016) to create a structured, evidence-based program that can be readily implemented by educators.
Key aspects of the intervention protocol include:
- A foundation in Kanning's (2002) theory of social competences, focusing on perceptive-cognitive, emotional-motivational, and behavioral components
- A comprehensive approach to systematically promote social competence in PE
- Multi-level assessment instruments to evaluate the multidimensional construct of social competence
- Potential for adaptation to various social contexts and specific needs groups
The protocol emphasizes the importance of intentionally fostering social skills alongside physical development in educational settings, which aligns with the World Health Organization's call for integrating social interactions into physical activity programs for youth (WHO, 2019).
By providing PE teachers with a structured approach to create environments conducive to social competence growth, this protocol represents a significant step towards enhancing the role of PE in students' holistic development. The intervention offers valuable tools for educators to nurture both physical and social skills in their classrooms, potentially leading to more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
The full article is available in Frontiers in Psychology, offering detailed insights into the intervention's development and potential applications.
Schüller, I., Wergin, V. V., & Mess, F. (2025). Strengthening social skills: developing a social competence intervention for physical education using intervention mapping—protocol paper. Frontiers in psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1484943