There are ways to ensure the spaces in which children and young people develop their talents and their sense of scientific, artistic and sports competitiveness.
There is no single concept of what discipline is. Some believe in methods like positive discipline, which proposes to educate with affection, firmness, respect and communication. Others believe that it is necessary to use a “strong hand” and be strict to bring out the best in students and learners.
Parents, as well as instructors, trainers and tutors, are rethinking their way of teaching to reach a consensus that participates in the social moment and the needs of the new alpha or touch generation.
Some trainers, like DaLawn Parrish, understand that the win at all costs mentality no longer has a place in youth sports, but they still believe that a dose of “hard” training is still useful for results.
Parrish, who is the coach of the Wise High School football team and describes himself on his social media as a “man builder,” told The Washington Post that this approach also has the purpose of preparing young players for life beyond the pitch.
For her part, Tamika Dudley, coach of the women’s basketball team at Sidwell Friends school in Washington, explains that she is in a transition in her career, opting for shout less and teach more their players to supervise each other.
John Fiore, a soccer coach in Montclair, NJ, says he has adapted his style to the changes in the world around him. But he clings to what he calls “the core” of his craft. Fiore says that sport, for him, is one of the last bastions for adolescents to learn about the consequences of their actions.
As you can see, these coaches cling to what they consider to be the essence of the sport: constant vigilance and smaller-scale replication of the rules and realities of the outside world.
Next, five contributions of positive discipline applicable to any situation in which the instruction or supervision of children and young people is in charge.
1. Mutual respect. The adult recognizes the child as deserving of respect, and also teaches him to respect himself and also his physical, emotional and mental needs.
2. Learning from mistakes. Errors are an opportunity to educate. The first thing is to teach children the advantages of communicating that they have made a mistake, instead of hiding it.
3. No punishment. A discipline that teaches is neither permissive nor punitive: it seeks solutions to mistakes. Punishment is effective in the short term (you will not repeat that behavior at that time), but it has negative consequences in the long term (the next time you do it, you will hide it).
4. Effective communication fosters a sense of community and helps “connect” with the child.
5. Encourage instead of praise. Thus the emphasis is placed on the fact that one can grow more and more, and not simply on seeking success.
It’s not just physical injuries that matter
For Dr. Michele LaBotz, a member of the Council on Sports and Exercise Medicine at the American Academy of Pediatrics, keeping children safe while playing sports involves more than just avoiding injury. It also means creating an environment where they can enjoy the benefits of participating in sports while being protected from abuse.
To help protect your children, LaBotz says, talk with them about situations and behaviors of adults who act badly. You can also do an assessment of your child’s sports organization to see if it is doing enough to ensure the safety of children from all forms of abuse and harassment.
Make sure the following norms and politicss are implemented:
Recruitment procedures. When hiring staff and volunteers, organizations should require a criminal background check. However, this is not enough. Written requests, personal interviews, and references from non-family members must be required and verified.
Formal training on abuse prevention. Adults who are part of the organization must have training that allows them to recognize signs of psychological, physical or sexual abuse in a sports environment. Coaches and other adults participating in the program should have access to resources on positive and effective coaching and coaching practices for young athletes. Proper training can help you discern the difference between:
- High intensity training methods and methods that constitute physical abuse.
- Communication strategies and ways of addressing children that constitute bullying.
Codes of conduct Policies must clearly explain what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate physical contact between athletes and adults other than parents of the children. Hazing (initiation rituals), harassment and other forms of harassment by athletes or adults, whether staff members or volunteers, must be strictly prohibited.
Requirements for complaints. Organizations must have policies and procedures that allow the following:
- That young athletes and their parents report suspicious behavior with procedures in place to guarantee prompt action and due follow-up.
- Mandatory reporting of misconduct by staff and volunteers.
- Report all reasonable allegations or suspicions of child abuse or neglect to local law enforcement authorities.
Communication. Staff and adult volunteers should follow pre-established rules when communicating with children:
- Parents should receive a copy of all emails between each of the athletes and any other adult within the sports organization.
- Adults belonging to the organization should not communicate personally with an athlete by phone, text messages or social media.
- All individual training or other contact between athletes and coaches or other staff members should take place in a conspicuous place, preferably with other adults nearby.
Travel policies. There must be written policies on travel for games, competitions or other sporting events:
- Athletes should not travel alone with an adult other than their parents.
- Detailed travel plans must be provided to parents prior to an overnight trip.
- Athletes must use the “buddy system” (paired / accompanied by a friend) to all activities during trips.
Facilities for training and competitions. Where athletes train and compete is also important. Centers must:
- Be in good condition, with safety equipment available for the sport.
- Visible to all, but with security measures in place to control adult access whenever possible.
- Be equipped with bathroom facilities or changing rooms that offer privacy and security to athletes. (F)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
