Self-Talk
in PE class
Hello, this is Young-in teacher! :)
Two students make the same mistake, but their reactions are completely different.
One says, “Ugh, I’m just bad at this… I’m terrible,” and hangs their head.
Another says, “It’s okay, I can do better next time!” and picks the ball up again.
This difference is not just about personality.
It comes from the words they say to themselves in their heads — in other words, their self-talk.
Today, let’s look at how our words can become strength and actually change performance!
1️⃣ What is self-talk?
Self-talk is the internal dialogue we have with ourselves — our “inner voice.”
Even when we don’t say anything out loud, there’s a constant stream of thoughts and words flowing in our mind. This inner dialogue has a direct effect on our emotions, concentration, confidence, and ultimately on how we perform in physical activity.
Negative self-talk: “What if I mess up again…” → increases anxiety
Positive self-talk: “Even if it’s hard, I’ll keep going until the end!” → boosts motivation and effort
Self-talk can become:
a harsh critic that makes us give up, or
the best coach that lifts us back up.
2️⃣ Negative vs Positive Self-Talk
If we could listen to what children are saying inside their minds, we could often predict their performance.
❌ Negative self-talk
“I’ve never been good at sports.”
“We’re going to lose because of me.”
Result:
Muscles tense up, they avoid challenges, and performance drops.
✅ Positive self-talk
“It’s my first time, so it’s normal to make mistakes.”
“Slowly, just do what I practiced.”
Result:
Anxiety decreases, confidence grows, and resilience (the ability to bounce back) improves.
� Important:
Positive self-talk is not just saying, “I’m the best!”
It needs to accept reality, but focus on what I will do next.
That kind of realistic encouragement is what truly works.
3️⃣ Three types of self-talk that help performance
Students need practice choosing the right kind of words for the situation.
① Motivational Self-Talk
Used to boost energy in hard moments:
“I can do this!”
“Don’t give up!”
“This is my moment!”
② Instructional Self-Talk
Used to improve technique and accuracy:
“Keep your eyes on the ball.”
“Stretch your arms fully.”
“Bend your knees!”
③ Emotional Control Self-Talk
Used when they feel too nervous, angry, or upset:
“It’s okay, take one big deep breath.”
“Calm down, try again.”
4️⃣ Teaching self-talk in elementary PE
In PE, self-talk can be introduced as “creating your own inner coach.” Even if the teacher says encouraging words 100 times, it’s far more powerful when students choose their own sentence, like:
“It’s okay to make mistakes. I can try again.”
Have them repeat this silently to themselves before an activity or game. This becomes strong mental training that helps them stay steady in competition and support themselves from within.
Teachers can:
talk about self-talk regularly, and
post helpful phrases on the gym wall or around the playground.
Just seeing those words can make a real difference. �
� Classroom Application – Young-in Teacher’s TIP! (Use it right away)
✅ Tip ① “Inner Sentence Card (Mantra)” Activity
At the start of class, ask students to write one sentence on a sticky note:
“What is one thing you want to say to yourself today?”
Examples:
“Run to the finish line.”
“Don’t give up after one mistake.”
When things get tough, have them repeat that sentence like a personal mantra.
✅ Tip ② Reframing mistakes with new self-talk
When a student is discouraged after a mistake, go up to them and ask:
“What are you saying to yourself in your mind right now?”
If they’re using negative self-talk, gently ask:
“How could you change that sentence so it gives you strength?”
Then help them rewrite it into a more helpful, positive line.
This simple reframing turns a failure moment into a growth moment.
� In Closing
“When words change, actions change.
When actions change, results change.”
Through PE, our students can gain not only physical health, but also the habit of encouraging and lifting themselves up with healthy inner dialogue.
Helping them build that kind of mindset —
isn’t that one of the most wonderful roles we have as PE teachers?
You’ve worked so hard this week. Wishing you a happy and restful weekend! �
