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Volume 15
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10.3390/educsci15070845
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Article

Developing Prosocial Leadership in Primary School Students: Service-Learning and Older Adults in Physical Education

by
Encarnación E. Ruiz-Montero
1,2,
Horacio Sanchez-Trigo
3,
Kamal Mohamed-Mohamed
2,4 and
Pedro Jesús Ruiz-Montero
2,5,*
1
Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
2
TEPAS Research Group HUM-1080, Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
3
Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
4
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education and Sport Sciences, Campus of Melilla, University of Granada, 52005 Melilla, Spain
5
Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070845
Submission received: 20 May 2025 / Revised: 28 June 2025 / Accepted: 30 June 2025 / Published: 2 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Teaching and Learning in Physical Education and Sport)
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Abstract

Background: As population aging continues to accelerate, it is increasingly important to promote a positive perception of older adulthood from an early age. Service-Learning (SL), when integrated into Physical Education (PE), offers an opportunity to foster critical and prosocial awareness in primary school students, encouraging attitudes of respect and empathy toward older adults. Method: A qualitative study was conducted with 40 sixth-grade students who participated in an SL project at an adult day care center. Through weekly adapted PE sessions, the students engaged in direct interaction with older adults. Data were collected through reflective journals and analyzed using content analysis techniques. Results: The findings reveal a positive impact on students’ perceptions of older adults. Significant development of prosocial competencies, such as empathy, collaborative leadership, and communication skills, was observed. Furthermore, students expressed an enhanced sense of usefulness and social commitment. Conclusions: Intergenerational SL in PE is an effective strategy for improving academic learning, transforming attitudes, promoting civic values, and contributing to more inclusive education.
Keywords: experiential learning; prosocial leadership; intergenerational education; social inclusion; values education experiential learning; prosocial leadership; intergenerational education; social inclusion; values education

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ruiz-Montero, E.E.; Sanchez-Trigo, H.; Mohamed-Mohamed, K.; Ruiz-Montero, P.J. Developing Prosocial Leadership in Primary School Students: Service-Learning and Older Adults in Physical Education. Educ. Sci. 2025, 15, 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070845

AMA Style

Ruiz-Montero EE, Sanchez-Trigo H, Mohamed-Mohamed K, Ruiz-Montero PJ. Developing Prosocial Leadership in Primary School Students: Service-Learning and Older Adults in Physical Education. Education Sciences. 2025; 15(7):845. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070845

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ruiz-Montero, Encarnación E., Horacio Sanchez-Trigo, Kamal Mohamed-Mohamed, and Pedro Jesús Ruiz-Montero. 2025. "Developing Prosocial Leadership in Primary School Students: Service-Learning and Older Adults in Physical Education" Education Sciences 15, no. 7: 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070845

APA Style

Ruiz-Montero, E. E., Sanchez-Trigo, H., Mohamed-Mohamed, K., & Ruiz-Montero, P. J. (2025). Developing Prosocial Leadership in Primary School Students: Service-Learning and Older Adults in Physical Education. Education Sciences, 15(7), 845. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070845

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