As September rolled around and students across the country headed back to school, All It Takes (AIT) kicked off its Leadership Development Through Physical Education (LDTPE) trainings at The Painted Turtle. A school district in Northern Los Angeles County sent all of their 6th-grade students to experience an action-packed field trip for LDTPE, where they flexed their social, emotional, and physical muscles while building trusted spaces within their groups.
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AIT Board Member and Trainer, I've had the privilege of witnessing these transformative experiences firsthand. The LDTPE program is designed to push students two steps beyond their perceived limits while teaching them valuable tools through the Notice Choose Act® framework.
The Magic Moment
My favorite part of every training is watching that "aha" moment when students connect with something deeply. During our post-activity shares, I'm consistently amazed by the profound insights these young minds offer. I've heard students say things like:
"It's okay to reach for our dreams, and I learned that it's okay to ask for help. I'm not someone who likes to ask for help, but I get it now!"
One Word, Countless Transformations
At the end of each day, I ask students to describe their experience in one word. The responses never fail to inspire me: "proud," "confident," "grateful." It's incredible to see the visible shift in these kids who arrived shy or trying to act cool, only to leave with a newfound sense of self.
Breaking Through Barriers
I've witnessed numerous breakthrough moments during our trainings. There was a quiet, disengaged student who, after a silent activity, shared, "I can't remember the last time I heard my own thoughts." From that moment on, he became fully engaged and took on a leadership role within his team.
Another shy student, who initially feared being laughed at, found peace during the same silent activity. He opened up about his struggles with depression and anxiety, saying it was the first time he'd felt true peace. For the rest of the day, he was engaged and enjoying time with his peers.
Conquering Fears
One of my favorite stories involves a student who was terrified of heights but agreed to try the ropes course. By the end of the day, she was beaming with pride, having completed the toughest course and even zip-lining down on her own. She had gone far beyond her comfort zone and discovered a new realm of possibilities.
Building New Connections
At the end of each session, I love asking the group, "Who here worked with or helped someone today that they've seen at school before but never really talked to?" Seeing more than half the hands go up is a powerful reminder of the new awareness and connections formed in our trusted space.
These LDTPE Field Trips are more than just physical education – they're about empowering students to recognize their potential, overcome fears, and build meaningful connections. As we continue our work at AIT, I'm excited to see how these experiences will shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Discovering Their Power: The Impact of LDTPE Field Trips on 6th Graders
by Sarah Bernson
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