Cool downs are a valuable part of physical activity to promote recovery and ease muscle soreness. In physical education a cool down helps students transtition both physically and mentally from activity back to their regular school day. It can also be an opportunity to support meaningful social development, reflection, and community building.
Benefits of a Cool Down
Cool downs help students body recover and return to a resting state as they finish the rest of their school day. It can also reduce risk of injury and promote flexibility. Physically this can include:
Gentle stretching
Breathing exercises
Meditation or guided relaxation
These activities benefit the body and create a calm, focused atmosphere that supports emotional regulation and a positive end of class.
Fostering Social Interaction and Reflection
In addition to physical recovery, cool downs are an ideal time to promote social and emotional learning. Closure activities can encourage students to reflect on their experiences and interact positively with one another. This might include:
Group discussions:
What did you learn today?
How did you feel during the activity?
Sharing compliments and/or high fives
Thanking classmates and celebrating effort and participation.
Inclusive Cool Down Tips
Use visuals and clear instruction for stretching and mindfulness activities
Offer choices in how students participation (seated/standing, verbal/nonverbal sharing)
Provide sentence starters (I like how you..., Today my favorite activity was …)
Provide options to questions for students to choose from
Celebrate all forms of participation and effort
Examples:
Stretch and Share
While students are completing certain stretches they answer questions with a partner.
Arm stretches = What was your favorite activity today?
Leg stretches = What is something you're proud of?
Breathing exercises
Relax and Reflect
While light calming music is playing, students reflect with a partner.
What is something you learned today?
How were you a good teammate today?