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For Parents

Stage Blue: Learn to Play (Ages 9 to 12)

NOTE: This core module contains suggested educational readings on children in sports with advice for parents, coaches & teachers.

Areas to Cover	Topics	Suggestions / Examples / Resources	Benchmark
Children in sport - an introduction	Why is the role of an instructor important? How can sport be more fun?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
Sport participation	How much exercise do children need to stay fit? Is competitive sport too stressful for children? Are some children better able to cope with stress than others? At what age should children become involved in competitive sport? What is an appropriate practice-to-game ratio for a youth competitive league? Are there special benefits for girls participating in sport? When is it appropriate to adapt sport for children? Should children with an underlying medical condition get involved in sport? What are some important factors in assessing competitive sports for children with a disability?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
How children grow and develop	How do children grow and develop? Do genetics play a role in how successful children will be in sport? What are the nutritional requirements of young athletes? How much water should children drink during exercise? Are children more prone to heat / cold stress than adults?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
The mind of a child	How do children think and learn? How do children develop skills? Can children improve co-ordination through involvement in sport? Does sport help children build self-esteem? What are the building blocks to healthy self-esteem? What are the signs of low self-esteem? How can instructors help build self-esteem in young children?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
Sports injuries in young children	How can parents and coaches prevent injuries? What is an effective warm-up and cool-down?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
The role of parents and instructors in sport	How significant is the role of parents and coaches in youth sport? What can be done if a parent misbehaves? What can be done if an instructor misbehaves? What instructors should be certified? What is a competent instructor? What questions should parents ask when registering children for a sports program? What should parents watch for during a game or practice? Is there too much adult domination in children's sport?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.

Children in sport – an introduction	Why is the role of instructor important? How can sport be more fun? Does sport build character? How can parents and instructors keep sport and winning in perspective?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
Sport participation	Does maturity affect performance? How much exercise do children need to stay fit? Is competitive sport too stressful for children? Are some children better able to cope with stress than others? At what age should children become involved in competitive sport? What is an appropriate practice-to-game ratio for a youth competitive league? Are there special benefits for girls participating in sport? Should children with an underlying medical condition get involved in sport? What are some important factors in assessing competitive sports for children with a disability?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
How children grow and develop	How do children grow and develop? Are children naturally flexible? Do genetics play a role in how successful children will be in sport? Should children perform exercises aimed at developing strength? What are the nutritional requirements of young athletes? How much water should children drink during exercise? Are children more prone to heat and cold stress than adults?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
The mind of a child	How do children make decisions? How do children develop skills? Can children improve coordination through involvement in sport? Does sport help children build self-esteem? What are the building blocks to healthy self-esteem? What are the signs of low self-esteem? How can instructors help build self-esteem in young children?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
Sports injuries in young children	Are children more susceptible to sport injuries than adults? What types of sport injuries can occur? What are the most common sites of injury? Are some exercises harmful to growing muscles and bones? How can parents and coaches prevent injuries? What is an effective warm-up and cool-down?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.
The role of parents and instructors	How significant is the role of parents and coaches in youth sport? What can be done if a parent misbehaves? What can be done if an instructor misbehaves? What instructors should be certified? What is a competent instructor? What questions should parents ask when registering children for a sports program? What should parents watch for during a game or practice? Is there too much adult domination in children’s sport?	Resource: Straight Talk about Children and Sport – Advice for Parents, Coaches and Teachers by: Janet LeBlanc and Louise Dickson	Not required to be measured at this level but recommended that parents and children be exposed to content.

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