A guidebook for adults involved in children’s sports! Child Development Through Sports is a commonsense guide for anyone involved in children’s sports, presenting thoughtful analysis with an emphasis on maximizing the development of a child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual capabilities through sports. Written by Dr. James H. Humphrey, who has been involved in children’s sports at every level for nearly 60 years, the book stresses the potential contribution sports participation can make to a child’s development and the negative impact it can have if programs are not conducted in an appropriate manner. Child Development Through Sports focuses primarily on the risks and benefits of sports participation for children ages 5-12. This valuable book addresses health and stress as developmental factors, how to identify and develop motor skills, the positive and negative effects of competition, and an overview of the more pressing issues of children’s sports, including supervision, injuries, benefits, and interest. The book is largely based on extensive surveys and interviews with proponents and critics of children’s sports, including parents, professional athletes, coaches, school personnel, and children themselves. Among the topics Child Development Through Sports addresses are: the age at which children should begin playing organized sports which sports are best for children how many sports a child should play—and how often how to judge a good sports program and much more! Child Development Through Sports is an essential resource for parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, and makes a valuable supplemental text for courses in child development and sports management.

A guidebook for adults involved in children’s sports! Child Development Through Sports is a commonsense guide for anyone involved in children’s sports, presenting thoughtful analysis with an emphasis on maximizing the development of a child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual capabilities through sports. Written by Dr. James H. Humphrey, who has been involved in children’s sports at every level for nearly 60 years, the book stresses the potential contribution sports participation can make to a child’s development and the negative impact it can have if programs are not conducted in an appropriate manner. Child Development Through Sports focuses primarily on the risks and benefits of sports participation for children ages 5-12. This valuable book addresses health and stress as developmental factors, how to identify and develop motor skills, the positive and negative effects of competition, and an overview of the more pressing issues of children’s sports, including supervision, injuries, benefits, and interest. The book is largely based on extensive surveys and interviews with proponents and critics of children’s sports, including parents, professional athletes, coaches, school personnel, and children themselves. Among the topics Child Development Through Sports addresses are: the age at which children should begin playing organized sports which sports are best for children how many sports a child should play—and how often how to judge a good sports program and much more! Child Development Through Sports is an essential resource for parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, and makes a valuable supplemental text for courses in child development and sports management.

The modern day youth sports environment has taken the enjoyment out of athletics for our children. Currently, 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by the age of 13, which has given rise to a generation of overweight, unhealthy young adults. There is a solution. John O’Sullivan shares the secrets of the coaches and parents who have not only raised elite athletes, but have done so by creating an environment that promotes positive core values and teaches life lessons instead of focusing on wins and losses, scholarships, and professional aspirations. Changing the Game gives adults a new paradigm and a game plan for raising happy, high performing children, and provides a national call to action to return youth sports to our kids.

Klein argues that adult success is often established in the developmental preschool years. She shares advice for parents on how to promote such success-driving positive attributes as resilience, self-regulation, and empathy.

Parenting Young Athletes tells readers exactly how to enhance the well-being of their children, both on and off the athletic field/court. The latest information on child development, sport psychology, and sports medicine is translated into a practical "how-to" guide that assists parents in assuring their sons and daughters get the most out of youth sports. The authors, seasoned experts in the field, thoughtfully address a wide range of issues including: -Promoting achievement in all areas of life -Choosing the right sport program -Understanding the unique nutritional needs of young athletes -Identifying, treating, and preventing sport injuries -Helping children cope with disappointment and performance anxiety -Applying positive principles of coaching and character-building -Addressing the special concerns of high school athletes -Recognizing and preventing bullying and abuse -Growing together as a family through sports Engagingly written, Parenting Young Athletes is targeted at parents of youngsters from elementary through high school years. Geared toward parents who have relatively little athletic experience as well as those who have a strong background in sports, the book provides clear recommendations with enlightening examples and real stories of growth-promoting sport experiences. Key concepts and principles are highlighted throughout. Parenting Young Athletes explores the joys as well as the dangers of sport participation and is a must-read for parents who hope to raise champions in sports and in life.

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

Sports are an amazing environment in which to raise children. The benefits they gain from athletic participation are many, including physical, personal, and social. Yet, there is also a dark side to today’s youth sports culture, as an emphasis on winning has made what was once fun become a burden for many young athletes. As a result, parents can’t always be certain their children’s athletic involvement will be safe and enjoyable. In Raising Young Athletes: Parenting Your Children to Victory in Sports and Life, Dr. Jim Taylor—an internationally-recognized authority on sport psychology, child development, and parenting—offers a guiding hand to help parents ensure their children’s sports participation encourages positive attitudes and promotes healthy developments as they move toward adulthood. The role of parents in shaping their children’s sports experience has never been more important, and Dr. Taylor shows parents how to send the right messages to their young athletes with clear and practical advice. Whether playing sports just for fun or with aspirations to play professionally, Raising Young Athletes helps parents steer their children toward a healthy, positive experience. As such, their participation will become an impactful part of their lives that will prepare them to be victorious both in sports and in life.