Sports Participation in Middle Childhood/ Puberty in Adolescence
In this unit, you will learn about physical development in middle childhood and adolescence. In middle childhood, we see important physical changes, including rapid gains in motor abilities that lead many children to actively participate in organized sports. Puberty marks the beginning of the adolescence period and leads to many significant physical changes in the adolescent. The focus of this discussion is on middle childhood sport participation and on puberty experiences during adolescence.
Please respond to the following:
- What is your opinion on participation in adult-organized sports (e.g., gymnastics, dance, soccer, baseball) during middle childhood – what are the pros; what are the cons? What kind of learning climate should the coaches and parents create for the child?
- Recall your own reactions to the physical changes of puberty. Are they consistent with research findings discussed in the textbook? What kind of impact can pubertal timing (e.g., early or late maturation) have on adolescent development?
