WHY IS PLAYING SPORT IMPERATIVE FOR A CHILD?

There is ongoing input from teachers school directors and principals around the world as to the positive benefits that sport and movement has had on the lives of the children that they teach.

• It is necessary for school readiness
• It is necessary for sport participation, an important part of school life
  
• It is necessary for the development of social skills
• It is a very important component of a child’s overall academic development!

Movement is the child’s first “language” and the more proficient they become in this first language, the better they will develop other powers of expression, exploration and development.

Positive movement and sport experiences enable children to know and grow in an environment that is rich in wonderful experiences.  As we know, success-orientated experiences empower young children.  This establishes confident, competent children who know motivation and perseverance, and who are able to take suitable risks in all areas of their learning and development.

Modern life with its mass explosion of technological advancements has created inactive environments for children especially in their early years. 

The amount of time that children spend in an active environment has decreased for many reasons including:

• New pastimes and games such as computers and game consoles
• Limited opportunities for play
• Ever increasing pressures on time
• Inactive role models
• Over concern for safety

 Health

The health benefits of being physically active are at last being recognized as an important component of a childs life.  There is clear evidence that increasing physical activity in children can result in health benefits such as:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Diabetes prevention and control
• Primary prevention of some cancers
• Injury prevention and control
• Promotion of positive mental health

Research indicates that children who develop the key movement skills and experience the joy of competent sports participation will participate in physical activity and enjoy the many benefits that an active life provides. 

 HOW CAN LOW MUSCLE TONE AFFECT THE CHILD IN THE CLASSROOM?

Unfortunately children who have not developed sufficient trunk control (low muscle tone) through lack of movement, will have difficulty sitting still at their desk as they will constantly need to adjust their postures. Too much time will be spent doing the task (focusing on their writing as an example) and very little time spent learning about the task. Because of this they will inevitably miss a lot of what is being said by the teacher and the gap between their knowledge and that of their peers can widen.

HOW DOES A PROGRAM LIKE PLAYBALL© FACILITATE THESE LEARNING EXPERIENCES?

By dealing with children in a special way the Playball© coach aims to help children become self-respecting and responsible human beings who are able to respond to the challenges of school competently and enthusiastically.

Throughout the Playball© programs children are exposed to challenges, which are not only relevant to their developmental needs but also in line with the latest educational principles of motor development.

Children need to play.  They need to socialize.  They need to feel worthy. 

However in order to achieve these and many more life skills they need to feel; confident and comfortable in the learning environment!