How children learn

Your child matters... Leinster GAA Coaching Conference March 9th, 2013 Richard Bowles

Where am I coming from? Teacher

Club Coach Adult coach

(U6, U8, U10) PE Lecturer, Mary Immaculate College

Player

Parent

Coach Education Tutor

What do I want to do today? Theories on how children learn... Why they take part in sport...

The implications for the coach...

Make activity fun… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7IvegYtyDw

Physical Literacy “As appropriate to each individual’s endowment, physical literacy can be described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to maintain physical activity throughout the lifecourse” (Whitehead, 2010 p.12)

How How do do children children learn? learn?

Children’s holistic development... Physical

Intellectual

Social

Emotional

Why do children take part in sport?

Why do children take part in sport?

Some Factors… • • • • • • •

Learn new skills Make friends See new places – and have new experiences To be part of a team For the competitive challenge/winning Improve their self worth To have fun http://www.gaa.ie/coaching-and-games-development/coaching/coaching-children/

Why do they drop out? Why do they drop out?

Can we explain this? “The estimated percentage fall off among players who start at Under 8 level before reaching minor grade is 43% of GAA players” (Munster GAA, p.6)

So, what are the implications for us? “The actions and interactions of teachers and coaches largely determine whether or not children and young people experience these positive aspects of PES [PE & Sport] and whether or not they realize its great potential” (Bailey 2006, P399)

The Coach as Educator... Our role in developing “well-rounded” children who: • Are independent • Value learning • Enjoy participating • Have high self-esteem • Show respect and fair play (Kidman, 2005: 257

Child-centred... • Allow for different rates of learning • Focus on the individual • Encourage decision-making Ask questions Cut down on “coach talk” Select appropriate activities • Fun...active...safe...

Some practical examples... • Club coaching • School coaching • Games-based coaching programmes Go Games Model Game Sense / TGfU Small-sided Games What about Fundamental Movement Skills??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYe2wRa4Ta0 Getting the balance right

So, how do we measure success? Participation

Player Retention

Social Development

Competition?

Skill Development

“Take home” message! Can I ensure that every child enjoys the experience and is learning?

References Bailey, R. (2006) Physical education and sport in schools: A review of benefits and outcomes. Journal of School Health 76, no. 8: 397-401. Munster GAA (2012) Return on Coaching Investment Evaluation Study Kidman, L. (2005) Athlete-centred Coaching: developing inspired and inspiring people Christchurch: Innovative Print Communications Whitehead, M. (2010) Physical Literacy: Throughout the Lifecourse, Abingdon: Routledge http://www.gaa.ie/coaching-and-games-development/coaching/coaching-children/