While striving to reach their goals, they will find themselves coming in contact with other young people who are also heading onward and upward.
Proper physical development, otherwise known as coordination development, is a process that takes years to evolve and is based on diversity and adaptability.
Young athletes should not be restricted to sport-specific skill training, or one solo sport for that matter, with the expectation of becoming the next “Champion” athlete.
Far too often, parents, coaches or teammates see exceptional sport skill in a young athlete and mistakenly push full throttle ahead into developing a young champion of the sport.
Developing coordination through various experiences in gross motor movement will provide the necessary stimulation to allow young bodies to begin the critical steps of eventually perfecting a variety of movement skills throughout their developmental years.
Between the ages of 7 and 14 coordination development is critical and is most significant during the ages of 10 and 13.
Don’t wait until then!! In the earlier years between birth and 6 years old parents have the responsibility to provide a rich, nurturing and engaging environment for their children that will help stimulate the physical and cognitive abilities their kids will count on later in their childhood.
It does not mean young children need to have an overflowing weekly agenda with structured activities.
Encouraging young kids to explore fun activities which promote balance, rhythm and spatial orientation will provide a strong foundation for coordination development.
Get out and play with them! For young children, teach them games like tag, duck-duck-goose, kick-the-can and hide-and-go- seek.
For older grade school kids and young teenagers, go bike riding, kayaking or swimming.
As a young athletes body begins to take shape, height body weight and body mass strength and speed are significantly changing during these years.
Expect Respect Aside from teaching and exposing young children to stimulus that will foster the development of coordinated movement patterns, the introduction and the reinforcement to the importance of values, family and home is just as critical.
This will give your young athletes the reassurance that they have all the support necessary to be successful not just in sport but it life.
In the early years of sharing taking turns and playing fair, young people must learn to respect their elders, coaches, teammates/classmates teachers and parents.
In a time where society is applying the pressure to succeed at such a young age we have seemed to forgot to instill values of sportsmanship and respect not only in the name of sport but in humanity.
Follow Sound Principles not Fads When athletes begin to show signs it may be time to explore performance or sport specific coaching.
Some fitness companies are beginning to specialize in “Youth Fitness.” Just make certain that the individual or company that will be working with your youngster sticks to the principles of not only proper skill development and physical conditioning, but self-esteem, leadership and teamwork.
Cumulative Physical and mental stress at a young age can have a profound negative impact on the quality of life in the home in the classroom and on the field.
Quiet time for naps, homework and studying are critical for young children.
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