Do it right - or just do it?

I learned something interesting while teaching a unit on basketball the other day. We had learned the basic dribbling, passing and shooting skills that I wanted to cover. The kids were divided into two groups: one that wanted to play a game of basketball, and one that just wanted to take those skills and play around. ( not be competitive )

After getting both groups started on their activities, I watched carefully to see if one group would move around more than the other or have more fun. Surprisingly the answer was NO. Both groups were very active and were having lots of fun. Everyone was actively involved in the group, and I saw all the skills being used.

Some of the kids who did not really want to play basketball ended up saying that they liked it a little bit now. By allowing them to use the skills in a game that they came up with, I got them to be just as active as the other group, AND to look at the activity in a new light.

It does NOT have to be the "real" thing! Just get out there and DO something.......

Fitness testing

We test kids in other classes so we know where they are in their development. The same should be done in P.E. classes. How else for the teacher, student and parents to know where the child is in their physical development? I do not advocate using the results in the grading process, or in any public way. But knowing how a child stacks up to their age norms when it comes endurance, strength and flexibility can empower parents and students to make changes that can improve the child's physical fitness.

Children or Competitors?

As the youth football season heads into the playoffs, we see an increase in the pressure put on children to WIN. While some competition can be healthy, there are definite side effects from putting children into the pressure cooker too young. Besides the obvious physical stresses of the game, we have parents and coaches putting extra stress on the kids to "win it all". Should there even be a playoff for children under 12?

Competing and losing do teach some life lessons, but only if the child is at an appropriate age to digest the lesson. With the main goal of youth sports being participation and sportsmanship, playoffs bring another dimension. The extra emphasis on "win or go home" can't be ignored.

Watch the reaction of parents and coaches: then ask who the playoffs are really for. As kids mature, they can handle tougher competition. Introduce it too soon and they are unable to learn the lessons it can teach. How sad........