PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: BODY TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

The chapter “Physical Education and Socio-emotional Development: Body Tools to Strengthen Relationships,” by Francine Giana Guido, presents Physical Education as a privileged space for the integral formation of students, going beyond motor development and health promotion. The author highlights that structured body practices — such as cooperative games, group dynamics, and physical circuits — function as pedagogical tools for cultivating socio-emotional skills, such as self-control, empathy, and collaboration.

The work engages with the BNCC (2018) and international guidelines (CASEL, 2017), reinforcing that the body in motion can be understood as a mediator of emotional and social learning. Case studies and successful school experiences are highlighted that demonstrate the positive impacts of pedagogical intentionality in Physical Education, such as the reduction of conflicts, the strengthening of trust bonds, and the promotion of more democratic and supportive environments. In summary, the text argues that Physical Education, by articulating body and emotion, consolidates itself as a strategic discipline for human development, preparing students to face contemporary challenges and live in society in an ethical and collaborative way.