| I have facilitated a sports program at Camp Med, a | | | | One of the ways that we know an event is fun is that |
| licensed day care program sponsored by the City of | | | | the kids tell us. They are given a lot of say in what we |
| South Pasadena, for five years now - that's about 500 | | | | do. When they determine the event for the day, there |
| sports hours. Generally about thirty children from the | | | | is an amazing amount of cooperation that occurs. |
| ages of 5-11 participate, although this number can go | | | | What struck me over the years is that intuitively, the |
| as low as ten and as high as sixty. The children are | | | | kids mostly know, on any given day, what is the best |
| very engaged with their sports hour, the competitive | | | | sport to play. |
| spirit of the games is high and through the years, their | | | | Listening is a major element of empowerment. Often, |
| teamwork and sportsmanship have increased. There | | | | they see things very clearly. Often, they have great |
| are three basic strategies/dynamics at work that help | | | | pointers. Listening can be healing as well. As children |
| make their sports hour a happy hour. | | | | develop their voice as human beings, it is affirming to |
| Praise the Children | | | | have an adult just be there and listen. |
| Positive feedback gives the child a lifeline to expand | | | | The kids do particularly well if they are given jobs to |
| into the sport and participate in a greater way. Positive | | | | do. The kids set up the field. The kids say, "Ready, set, |
| feedback gives the child a vision of themselves that | | | | go." The kids determine whose turn it is to kick the ball. |
| they can now easily step into. | | | | The kids manage their teams. |
| During sports hour, I participate in the game and one | | | | They are given an opportunity to think on their own. If |
| other counselor observes the game. We praise the | | | | they don't do things perfectly, that is fine - this is for |
| kids for good effort, good plays and good | | | | their learning and their experience. |
| sportsmanship. The most anticipated praise, however, | | | | Sometimes a child may be given a specific job in the |
| is given during our post game show. After the game, | | | | context of the sport and they thrive on it. One child |
| the observing counselor becomes the storyteller | | | | who had consistently resisted sports hour was given |
| providing post game analysis on how every single | | | | the job (in soccer and hockey) of playing in the left |
| player did something well. The praise is not generic, but | | | | corner by the other team's goal. Although she was not |
| specific to the child. After the sports recap, verbal | | | | particularly fast afoot, she was strong. She quickly |
| awards are given out for best sportsmanship, play of | | | | became comfortable playing the position and would |
| the game, most improved player, courageous player, | | | | win possession of many of the loose balls in the |
| team leader, MVP, best young player, whatever | | | | corner. Before long she began scoring goals, often |
| seems appropriate for the game. We have even | | | | from remarkable angles. And then a pattern emerged |
| given out an award for most fun player, someone | | | | that no one anticipated. In close games, she started |
| who noticeably brought a lot of joy and creativity onto | | | | scoring an unprecedented number (30-40%) of game |
| the field. | | | | winning goals. |
| The post game awards teach the kids what the adults | | | | In the corner of the field, her determination, craftiness |
| like. When kids recognize that we are giving out a | | | | and self-confidence blossomed. |
| sportsmanship award, their behaviors subtly become | | | | Conclusion |
| more attuned to becoming a better sportsman. These | | | | These strategies/models evolved over time with the |
| awards are not focused on winning, they are focused | | | | input of many. Sometimes the kids aren't angels, but |
| on core values and on playing the game in a focused, | | | | often they are. In my heart, I hold that out as a vision |
| constructive manner. | | | | for them. |
| Since we have started the post game ceremony, the | | | | One marvelous thing with children is that they give |
| kids don't get caught up so much on who won and | | | | such pure and clear feedback as to what is working |
| who lost, but now anticipate the awards show. For | | | | and not working. When the kids run onto the grassy |
| most of the kids, receiving praise is more important | | | | field with delight and zany abandon, we know that we |
| than winning, the praise is like a food for them, it | | | | have prepared a good place for them. |
| nurtures their spirit. | | | | Favorite Camp Game: Capture the Ball |
| Sports can be a window to feeling good about | | | | This is like Capture the Flag. Instead of taking a flag, |
| oneself. Praise allows all the kids to experience the | | | | you take the ball over the line and score a point. There |
| positive self-esteem that comes with sports. | | | | is a jail as well. |
| Make it Fun | | | | The difference is that there is a safety zone around |
| Kids give their full effort when something is fun. The | | | | the ball. Once you land in the safety zone, you are |
| most fun events are games that have a flow to them, | | | | safe. We were finding in capture the flag, that only the |
| where there is not a lot of sitting or standing around. | | | | very top athletes were able to both capture the flag |
| The main games we play are soccer, street hockey | | | | and then bring it back over the line. With the safety |
| (with plastic sticks and a whiffle ball) and capture the | | | | zone, more children are able to participate. |
| ball (see box). Sports that keep the kids moving are | | | | The other difference is that you can throw the ball and |
| the best. | | | | if one of your teammates catches or brings the ball |
| I participate with the kids. Some of you who are | | | | over the line, your team scores. So many kids in the |
| Seinfeld fans may remember the episode when | | | | safety zone decide to throw the ball. This changes the |
| Kramer joins a children's karate class and dominates | | | | game to one of greater teamwork as opposed to one |
| them gleefully, but there is an upside with this. Gym | | | | where the fastest athletes dominate the game. |
| class was just about my favorite activity growing up | | | | Capture the ball is particularly successful because the |
| so I am highly enthusiastic. I model good behavior, like | | | | younger kids participate as much as the older kids. |
| passing and cooperating with teammates. I kick and | | | | Tip: |
| throw the ball high which the younger kids love. The | | | | Use soft balls that don't hurt kids |
| kids enjoy competing against me. If one of them | | | | Soccer balls were hitting kids in the face and making |
| outplays me, their delight, the grin on their face is pretty | | | | them cry during the game. We switched to a larger, |
| funny to see. | | | | more rubbery ball (a Tachikara ball) that was a lot |
| The kids experience that, "Sports is fun." In this | | | | softer. This has dramatically cut down on kids getting |
| sedentary age, this association will serve them for the | | | | hurt. An additional upside is that since the ball is bigger, |
| rest of their lives. | | | | the smaller kids are now able to kick it better and |
| Empower the Children | | | | participate more in the game. |