Eight Key Elements in Quality Youth Development
Health and fitness professionals often focus on how many kids are
overweight. However, a study in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition has found that not exercising is a higher risk factor for
all-cause mortality than being overweight or obese (Ekelund et al.
2015).โฉ
This is encouraging news for kids, adolescents, parents and fitness
professionals because it indicates that overweight kids may not be as
unhealthy as we think they are. It also suggests that kids who are obese
and who exercise or play sports can be healthy. This is strong
motivation for parents to involve their obese kids in sports training,
or to encourage them to stay involved if they already are. โฉ
If you want to coach youth to reach their sports training goals, consider these eight keys to quality youth development, created by educators at the University of Minnesota Extension:
- HELP YOUTH FEEL PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE.
Trainerโs tip: Set boundaries and expectations with both the clients and their parents early on. Be a good role model and create a safe environment.
- ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO EXPERIENCE BELONGING AND OWNERSHIP.
Trainerโs tip: Create a T-shirt with the name of your business or program for clients to wear so they feel part of something larger. Offer small-group training opportunities.
- DEVELOP SELF-WORTH
Trainerโs tip: Empower young clients to complete difficult tasks, such as motor skills they find challenging.
- PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DISCOVERY
Trainerโs tip: Challenge clients by giving them a new sense of purpose. Help them identify themselves as healthy, strong individuals with potential.
- DEVELOP QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS AND ADULTS
Trainerโs tip: Mirror healthy interactions by being proactive and professional with parents. Talk positively about school, and encourage community involvement.
- DISCUSS CONFLICTING VALUES AND HELP CLIENTS FROM THEIR OWN BELIEFS
Trainerโs tip: Be honest and keep an open-door policy to discuss issues that come up in training. Listen to clients and validate their feelings. Know and respect each clientโs basic family values and culture.
- ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO FEEL THE PRIDE THAT COMES WITH MASTERY AND ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Trainerโs tip: Include clients and parents in the program design and give them access to ways of tracking progress.
To read a more in-depth discussion about helping kids get fit, please see โYouth Athletics: Put Excitement Back Into Playโ in the online IDEA Library or in the May 2015 print issue of IDEA Fitness Journal. If you cannot access the full article and would like to, please contact the IDEA Inspired Service Team at (800) 999-4332, ext. 7.