Working With Children In Sport

I have been asked by a local primary school Head teacher to help deliver a range of sports activities to a group of year 6 pupils.

Before I begin the sessions it is important that u gain some knowledge about the legal and welfare requirements before going into the school.

Children have many needs to help ensure they grow up to be happy and well-balanced adults. There are three main surroundings which help children grow and are a main part of their devlepoment are school, family and the community. Children need to have some form of education throughout their childhood. Both physical and social skills are learnt through teaching and through playing with other children.

Research has shown that children who participate in regular sport are linked to improvements in behaviour, school attendance and attainment. Sport has also shown to help children to develop social skills including teamwork and leadership skills. It can also help children to develop self-esteem and increase their confidence. Sport participation will help children to remain healthy. It will help to strengthen their immune systems, reduce the risk of becoming obese and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer in later life. Sport will elp to motivate the child ad develop good habits.

In sport the welfare of children is taken very seriously. All children, whatever their circumstances or ability should be able to participate in and enjoy sport. To ensure this happens a number of laws and regulations have been put in place.

One of these regulations to know when working with children is �Every Child Matters’. This is a government scheme that has been devised to support children and its aims are to ensure that all children have the support they need to:

• Be healthy- this includes physical health, sexual health, mental health and emotional health

• Stay safe- from abuse, neglect, accidental death, bullying and discrimination

• Enjoy and Achieve- attending school, personal and social development, meeting national standards or higher.

• Make a positive contribution- this involves supporting their community and environment, adopting positive behaviour and developing self confidence.

• Achieve