STAGES OF ATHLETIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

How To Be Happy And Active For Life

ATHLETIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: KEYS TO BEING ACTIVE FOR LIFE

Explore this five-part series that highlights the developmental milestones essential for athletes to remain successful and active throughout their lives.

Landscape Of Youth Sports And The Foundation To Be Active For Life: Part 1

FOUNDATION BUILDING

Physical and Social Development

Your child’s physical development relies on staying active, but their social interactions are equally crucial for personal growth. Physical and social activity work hand in hand, either supporting or hindering your child’s growth as both an athlete and a person. To better understand this process, let’s explore your child’s long-term development from both athletic and social-emotional perspectives.

1) Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers: Foundation Building (birth to age 6)

FUN-DAMENTALS

In this section, we’ll focus on the grade school years, from elementary through middle school. These years mark the time when kids begin participating in organized sports and start learning the fundamental skills needed for specific sports. Socially, peer interactions also become more influential during this stage of development.

2) Grade Schoolers: Skills Acquisition (ages 6-12)

LEARNING TO COMPETE

This section explores the teenage years, a time when kids begin to define their identity and develop as competitive athletes.

At this stage, athletes have dedicated significant effort to building a strong foundation in the technical, tactical, and physical aspects of their sport—skills necessary to compete at a high level. These athletes are now reaching elite levels, competing in collegiate, competitive club, and professional sports.

3) Teenage Years: Learning to Compete (ages 11-23)

COMPETITIVE LIFE

This stage marks the transition from the teenage years into adulthood. During adolescence, the focus was on specialization and developing a strong self-identity. It is the final stage of fundamental development, where commitment and dedication to mastery are cultivated.

Athletes who successfully navigate their teenage years are better equipped to manage the transition into adulthood and thrive in the competitive environment.

4) Young Adulthood: Competition Ready (ages 20+)

Erickson Stage 6 (Intimacy versus Isolation, 20’s to late 30’s); LTAD Stage 6 (Train to Win, girls age 18+/boys age 19+)

THE GOLDEN YEARS, STAYING ACTIVE FOR LIFE

This is the final stage of fundamental development, where the focus shifts to enjoying an active lifestyle for life.

5) Active for Life and Giving Back (Ages 30+)

Erickson Stage 7 (Generativity versus Stagnation, age 40-60) and Erickson Stage 8 (Integrity versus Despair, ages 60 to the end of life); LTAD Stage 7 (Active for Life, any age)

REFERENCE LIST

Reference

Botcher, S. (2014, November 23). 9 communities to pilot Canadian Sport for Life approach to sport and physical activity - Active For Life. Retrieved February 25, 2016, from http://activeforlife.com/9-communities-pilot-canadian-sport-for-life-approach/

Cherry, K. (2015, July 02). How Erik Erikson's Own Identity Crisis Shaped His Theories. Retrieved February 25, 2016, from http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/bio_erikson.htm

Duffek, J. (2017, March 28), A few surprises in the data behind single-sport and multisport athletes. Retrieved March 09, 2018, from http://usatodayhss.com/2017/a-few-surprises-in-the-data-behind-single-sport-and-multisport-athletes.

Jojic, J. (n.d.). Running, Climbing, Jumping, and Kicking [Photograph found in http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/run-jump/, New York]. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from http://images.agoramedia.com/wte3.0/gcms/MLS-F-run-jump-and-more-343x343.jpg

Long-Term Athletic Development Framework (n.d.). Retrieved March 09, 2018 from http://sportforlife.ca/qualitysport/long-term-athlete-development/

Ludbrook, K. (2015, November 12). South Africa vs New Zealand photo preview 50549933 [Photograph found in Sports, Rugby Union Photo, European Press Photo Agency, Frankfurt, Germany]. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from https://sports.vice.com/en_uk/article/the-all-blacks39-haka-it39s-complicated-uk-translation (Originally photographed 2012, June 12)

epa03425465 Players of New Zealand (back) perform the Haka, or war dance, as the Springboks of South Africa (front) accept the challenge before the Rugby Championship rugby union test match at Soccer City in Soweto, South Africa, 06 October 2012. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK

McLeod, S. A. (2013). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html

Miner, J. W. (2016, June 1), Why 70 percent of kids quit sports by age 13. Retrieved March 09, 2018 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/06/01/why-70-percent-of-kids-quit-sport-by-age-13/?utm_term=.43577ceb15ba.