To better understand what sport-baesed youth development (or SBYD) is you need to understand Positive Youth Development or PYD. PYD forms the basis for sport-based youth development. I have provided a very quick overview.
Positive youth development (PYD) is a framework says youth develop to their fullest potential when they are in the right environments. We, adults, need to make sure they have the best resources possible so they can become the best possible versions of themselves. PYD promotes 5 key assets, or the 5Cs. These are all areas where youth should develop as a result of participating in programming. The 5Cs are:
- Caring and compassion- Ability to care for others and feel that in return
- Character- Sense of right behavior
- Competence- Skill development
- Confidence- Belief in own ability
- Connection- Relationships with others
- (bonus) Contribution- Ability to add value to community
When you take a PYD approach to sport, you take an assets-based approach. You think about the 5 assets listed above. You think about the assets your athletes already have within them. And you think about what assets are available within the community. You see what is already there and make sure that they get everything they need become their best. And that all has to do with environment. In the next post, I will write more about the importance of environment of SBYD programs and what they should look like.
References
Eccles, J. & Gootman, J. A. (Eds. ) (2002). Community programs to promote youth development. National Academy Press: Washington, DC.
Lerner, R. M. (2005, September). Promoting positive youth development: Theoretical and empirical bases. White paper: Workshop on the Science of Adolescent Health & Development, NRC/Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies of Science.
The Sideline Fix 