Physical, Social and Emotional Development
The Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association wants your family to have a positive experience while involved in our program. Emphasis on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship in an age-appropriate environment provides the framework for a challenging and enjoyable experience for everyone. The information included in this section is designed to provide an overview of the developmental factors that influence your child’s and your own attitudes when participating in the Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association Program's. The focus of this section is to help ensure the enjoyment, safety, and skill development of your child.
Objectives
· Recognize the developmental physical changes that occur as your child moves from youth through adulthood.
· Understand the social and emotional development of your child and know how to recognize problems that may arise related to this development.
· Identify and apply ethical conduct in sports by maintaining emotional control with your child and demonstrating respect for athletes, officials, and coaches.
· Understand that individual differences such as gender, age, race, socio-economic and socio-cultural factors require that parents develop a variety of strategies to help create positive interactions with other children.
· Understand the importance of responsible personal and social behavior in practice and game situations.
Key Concepts
· Each age group represents a distinct and unique stage of physical, social and emotional development.
· A wide range of individual differences in physical, social and emotional maturation occurs in each athlete.
· Parents have a powerful influence on the development and behavior of their child.
· Specific strategies should be developed that will promote positive interaction between coaches, parents, and children.
· The Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association engages the whole person.
o Physically through learning new skills
o Emotionally through the confidence that comes from enjoying established skills
o Socially through cooperating, competing and respecting others
Content
Physical Development
Developmental physical changes occur as athletes move from youth through adulthood. These changes influence the learning and performance of motor skills. Parents need to recognize that his or her child demonstrates unique developmental characteristics. Level of maturity, coordination, ice hockey experience, and conditioning are just some of the factors that can influence physical performance. Parents and athletes also need to be aware of inherent risks associated with participating in this sport. Safe playing conditions in training and competing are a major focus of the Central Wisconsin Saints Hockey Association.
Social Development
Social interaction with peers, parents and coaches should be a growing experience. The development of teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship will contribute to the athlete’s ability to interact with others in a variety of situations. Learning how to interact effectively with others in small group, large group, and team situations in a positive environment will provide many opportunities for social growth. Developmental differences that may exist can contribute to interaction problems. Factors such as low self esteem, peerpressure, maturity level, and learning disabilities will increase susceptibility to social interaction issues.Recognizing and addressing these challenges in a constructive approach will assist the parent, athlete, andcoach.
Emotional Growth
Providing an environment that addresses the emotional growth of your child is very important. Each athlete should be treated as an individual while recognizing the dynamic relationship of personality and other variables such as gender, race, socio-cultural, and socio-economic differences. Recognizing factors that cause distress and frustration is very important. Parents and coaches should avoid situations that embarrass, ridicule, or humiliate participants. Recognizing the importance of self-confidence and self-esteem to your child’s development is a critical factor.
Age Group Characteristics
6-12 Year Old Athlete
Physical:
· Basic motor skills develop
· Activity patterns are in short bursts of low to moderate intensity
· Growth is fairly steady
· Wide range of physical abilities
· Learn skills quickly
Social
· Enjoy working with others toward common goal
· Peer interactions become increasingly important with increased age
· Tend to have short attention span
· Small group challenges conducted with more success
Emotional
· Identify with strong role model
· Self-worth relates to mastery of skill
· Athletes want to please parents and coaches
· Respond to positive reinforcement
Strategies:
· Focus on skill achievements
· Praise high energy
· Focus on the physical requirements of the sport
· Teach fairness
· Be sensitive to your child’s concerns
· Be positive!
Remember
Parents should remember that their child will respond to their input. Encouragement and involvement have a tremendous influence on your child’s success and enjoyment.
13- 15 Year Old Athlete
Physical:
· A period of rapid physical development marked by increases in height, weight, and muscular strength
· Hormonal changes occur
· Wide difference in skill, strength and size with girls advancing two years sooner than boys
· The greatest increase in cardio-respiratory endurance occurs
· The greatest fluctuations in basal metabolism may cause athletes to be restless
Social:
· Move away from parental control but still dependent on parent values
· More interested in peer approval
· Image is very important
· Often insensitive to individuals outside their peer group
Emotional:
· Changes in attitude
· Moodiness increases
· Insecurities run high
· Often feel alienated and self-conscious
Strategies:
· Reinforce skill acquisition
· Encourage participation in sport camps
· Don’t criticize too frequently or too harshly
· Don’t push too hard
· Praise participation and effort
· Be positive
Remember
Be sensitive to athletes needs.
Don’t embarrass your children in the presence of their peers
Choose appropriate moments for constructive criticism.
16 to 20 Year Old Athlete
Physical:
· Skeletal maturity occurs
· Strength and endurance continue to develop
Social:
· Initiate independent and responsible behavior
· Conflicts with parents decrease
· Social identification with teammates
· Sets personal goals
Emotional:
· Develops increased sensitivity to diverse skills and backgrounds
· Understands that participation provides the opportunity for enjoyment, challenge and self-expression.
· Concerns for the future
· Motivations to stay in the sport become solidified
Strategies:
· Discuss reasons why your child participates in sports
· Encourage athlete to identify reasons for participation (enjoyment, success, challenge, social interaction etc.)
· Discuss future plans of participation and be willing to provide support
· Your role should be to support, encourage, and provide freedom
Remember
This is a critical time that will determine if the child will remain in the sport.
Your role should be to support, encourage and provide freedom.
A sense of control over their lives is critical to self-esteem.
Summary
· Understand that development is sequential.
· Do not criticize or draw attention to awkwardness.
· Never pressure a child to perform beyond their ability.
· Criticize constructively and at the right time.
· Focus first on strengths and identify realistic ways to deal with weaknesses.
· Accept that each player develops physically, socially and emotionally at different rates.
REMEMBER
Young players need to focus on development of skills.
Once mastered, skills can be refined and interest in competitive play emerges.
Children want to succeed and need a chance to do so.
You are the most important and influential role model for your child.
