Mental Health in Active Youth
INSIDE THE MINDS OF OUR YOUTH
Children are fast learners, energetic, adventurous, creative, artistic, observers, brave and more. At their young ages it is imperative to support these characteristics and encourage adequate development. Children encounter stress, depression, anxiety, and similar apprehensions effecting their mental well-being. Which is why creating the opportunity for play and sports is necessary. Learn more about the direct correspondence of physical activity and the minds of our youth in this tab.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN
Access to resources, youth groups or programs, and ability to afford proper gear and equipment is often a barrier for many families. Low-income families often face having to choose between placing their children in sports or taking care of necessities for daily needs. Information concluded from a series of interviews of single and two-parent households showed insight on common concerns. Analysis from the interviews showed that children were able to make genuine relationships with coaches, friends, and working in team dynamics (Thorne, 2008). Children were also said to have had personal mental benefits such as better confidence, emotional control, and appropriate discipline. Alongside these benefits some of the barriers mentioned were overlapping busy schedules, medical or health reasons, and funding. How do we make up for these barriers?
GROWING AND DEVELOPING OUR YOUTH
We can overcome barriers preventing the participation in organized sports and programs by allowing play. Play is referred to the time children are given to be active, creative, and spontaneous. Similar benefits identified and tied to sports will also occur within play. Children will be able to learn themselves better while continuing to leap into various paths. The grand overall benefit stemming from physical activity, sports, and play for children is that these tendencies and associations will carry over with them in their adult life. The many benefits such as discipline, temper control, criticism and feedback, time management, organization/planning, confidence, exploration etc. will still be necessary as they're growing and developing. These are lifelong skills that they are engaging in at young ages which help create easier transitions and incorporations in their future adulthood interactions.
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