Why Children Play Sports

1. Why Children Play Sports Dr. Aubrey H. Fine

2. Theories Explaining Why Children Play in Sports • Piagetian Theory • Play as an area in which children can refine their developing skills • Social Learning Theory • Children may play and learn sports from watching others • Arousal Theory • Sports are played as a stimulus-seeking behavior

3. When children are at play they are, by definition, engaged in an experience that is inherently meaningful.

4. Results of Recreation & Leisure • Principal source of perceived quality of life • Reduces feelings of helplessness • Sense of self-efficacy and empowerment

5. The 10 Most Important Reasons Why Children Play a School Sport • To have fun • To improve my skills • To stay in shape • To do something I’m good at • For the excitement

6. The 10 Most Important Reasons Why Children Play a School Sport – con’t • To get exercise • To play as part of a team • For the challenge of competition • To learn new skills • To win

7. The 11 Most Important Reasons Children Stop Playing a Sport • I lost interest • I was not having fun • It took too much time • Coach was a poor teacher • Too much pressure

8. The 11 Most Important Reasons Children Stop Playing a Sport – con’t • Wanted non-sport activity • I was tired of it • Needed more time to study • Coach played favorites • Sport was boring • Overemphasis on winning

9. The Eight Essential Lessons of Sports: Wisdom for Growth

10. Eight Essential Lessons • Lesson 1 – Learning to cope with failure • Lesson 2 – Developing a sense of commitment • Lesson 3 – Handling Fear • Lesson 4 – Handling Frustration

11. Eight Essential Lessons – con’t • Lesson 5 – Being part of the team • Lesson 6 – Handling embarrassment • Lesson 7 – Handling competition • Lesson 8 – Handling adjustments

12. Influential Words and Beliefs in Sports: A Formula for Longevity & Everyday Living

13. Influential Words • Five most important words – Surround yourself with good people • Four most important words – Take care of yourself or I can handle it • Three most important words – Class, character, concern • Two most important words – Thank you or I can • Single most important word - we

14. Influential Words – con’t • Least important word – I • Two worst words – I quit • Three worst words – I don’t care • Four worst words – Everybody is doing it • Five worst words – Let somebody else do it