My philosophy when it comes to teaching games or activities to children is that everyone is unique in who they are and how they learn and/or develop. Each child develops at a different pace, some may be able to pick up a skill rather quickly and others may take longer to learn that skill. I believe as teachers, or hopeful teachers, that we need to take the time to identify where each child is at and to find ways in which we can help each child in the way that they seem to be able to learn best. As well as we should be patient with those who may take longer in learning a new skill. I also believe that everyone should be included and given a role in each game or activity. I personally would try and avoid elimination games as much as possible as this leaves many children left out, and many times, feeling useless or unworthy. I once had a soccer coach who taught us his abbreviation for team: Together Everyone Achieves More. I loved this abbreviation because I have known it to be so true; when everyone is playing an active part in something, it is much easier to accomplish or achieve a goal that's been set out. Teaching games is very much about learning how to be part of a team, how to support each other, encourage each other and work together to achieve a goal. I want the kids that I teach to have fun in their learning and therefore I would play a wide range of games in order to exemplify every child's strengths and interests and not just the main sport athletes (such as basketball players, volleyball players, soccer layers, track and field athletes, etc.). I would highlight to the kids that winning isn't everything but that trying your absolute best and improving on your skills, while treating others with respect, is what is most important. Games and activities are about more than just developing their game/sport skills. Don't get me wrong, they still should focus on developing their game skills but also, and very importantly, their life skills. Things such as understanding the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as well as how they interact with their classmates and even just other people in general, such as in the community. All in all, I feel that team play, respect, effort and participation as well as helping others are all things that are worth teaching as these are things that a child can take with him and practice throughout his/her life.
Until next time!
Courtney Dennill
Great post! It is so important children are exposed not only to physical skill but also to the life skills like respect and effort. Teaching both of these skills will hopefully create balanced children which in turn create caring, empathetic and healthy adults.
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