“With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility!” Raising Superheroes in Physical Education

Just like superheroes, children must learn to handle physical power responsibly. This article uses a superhero metaphor and playful situations in which students experience what it is like to have physical power that has the potential to be misused. It describes a series of simple sparring games that do not have a direct link to martial arts (such as judo or wrestling) but that allow students to explore their feelings, especially perceptions of power and powerlessness. The goal is for students to get to know the ambivalence of power and different types of physical and mental power.