Unit 5 - Children and Sports
Introduction
Children and Sports are closely related to each
other. Sports are good and enjoyable for children to enhance their physical
activity if they take part in organized sports and games. However, the sports
activities should be appropriate for the children. Children have innate
tendency to take parts in sports. They cannot remain away from sports
activities whatever the circumstances are, yet the matter of fact is that sports
activities should be appropriate for the children and they should be engaged in
such sports which are according to their developmental abilities.
Motor
Development in Children
Motor development is the progressive change in
movement throughout the life cycle. It is a combination of physical fitness
which consists of strength, speed, flexibility and endurance along with large
muscles, small muscles, bones and nervous system of body. As a matter of fact,
the ability to move is essential to human development. Various motor movements
or motor skills are essential for everyday life activities such as sitting,
walking, running, climbing, catching or holding, jumping, skipping or throwing
etc.
Motor development in children can be divided
into two parts:
Gross
Motor Development: Gross motor development is the development of large muscles
in the child’s body such as sitting, walking, running, climbing etc.
Fine
Motor Development:
Fine motor development is the development of the small muscles of the body especially
in the small movement of the fingers and hands. For example, discus, polo,
catching a cricket ball, smashing a volleyball etc.
Motor development starts after birth and
follows progressive and sequential patterns from early childhood (in infants),
middle childhood and late childhood stages.
Development
at Early Stage (2 to 6 years): The motor development during this period takes
place sharply. It is also known as the preschool years. In this period a child
becomes, perfect in various fundamental movements such as running, jumping,
throwing and acquiring the ability to unite or combine these movements.
In this period children’s stride length
increases and they develop a more mature running pattern. During this period,
proficiency in climbing on ladders becomes efficient. They can hop and gallop
skillfully. The development at the end of early childhood achieves a
satisfactory level so the systematic training in various sports such as
gymnastics and swimming can be started because their basic movements like
rolling, hanging, pushing and pulling etc. become efficient. They can unite
these movements efficiently under changing and difficult conditions. They
become efficient in various movement combinations such as running and jumping,
catching and throwing and running and throwing etc.
Development
at Middle Childhood: In this period children are active and agile and they are
keen to engage in different physical activities. They are very eager to compete
with children of the same age group. Most of the children, during this period,
achieve mature patterns of fundamental motor skills. During this period,
children become efficient in movement compiling, movement precision and
movement flow. Their speed abilities develop rapidly and co-ordinative
abilities also show a higher level of development.
Development
at Late Childhood: In this stage of childhood gross and fine motor development
activities are performed. Boys and girls are able to compete evenly. Children
of such age-group ready to learn strategies and more complex play combinations.
Running and jumping movements, qualitatively as well quantitatively develop
rapidly than in the middle childhood period.
Factors
affecting Motor Development
(1) Clean, safe and natural environment is
healthy and good for motor development activities.
(2) Performing regular physical activities, enhances
the motor development rapidly. However, the physical activities must be
according to the capabilities of children.
(3) Those children, who do not perform or
practice physical activities regularly, their motor development also becomes slow.
If children do not perform even minor activities, their motor development also
becomes much slow and that is why they take a long time for motor development.
(4) Children get genes from parents as
heredity, hence motor development follows the same pattern as their parents.
(5) Obesity and overweight affect the motor
development of children negatively. It means that children who are overweight
or obese do not feel enough enthusiasm for any motor activity and may even find
it uncomfortable to perform it. Motor development in such children takes place
very slowly which results in taking more time to perform motor movement.
(6) Nutrition also affects the motor
development. Nutritious food promotes good motor development. Sensory motor
development is dependent upon nutrition. If children get nutritious food they
get stronger which ultimately leads to good motor development. If children do
not get proper nutrition they are found to be less energetic which results in
slow motor development.
(7) Certain postural deformities in children
affect their motor development. Postural deformities, flat foot, knock-knees
and bow legged etc. create obstacles in the path of motor development of
children. In the absence of postural deformities the motor development in children
takes place at a faster rate.
(8) Disability and disease affect motor
development. It reduces perfection in motor skills whereas healthy person gains
faster motor development.
(9) Not taking proper rest and relaxation
affect motor development in children.
Very Short Answer Type Questions (1 Mark)
Q1.
What do you mean by motor development?
Ans. Motor development refers to
the development of a child’s bone, muscles and ability to move around and
manipulate his/her environment.
Q2.How
many stages of motor development are there in children?
Ans. There are three stages of
motor development in children as given below:
1. Infancy or infancy hood
2. Early childhood
3. Later childhood
Q3.
What do you mean by gross motor development?
Ans. Gross motor development involves
the development of large muscles in the child’s body such as sitting, walking,
running, climbing etc.
Q4.
What do you mean by fine motor development?
Ans. It involves the small
muscles of the body specially in the small movement of the fingers and hands.
For example, holding of javelin, discuss. Pole, catching a cricket ball,
smashing a volley ball and gymnastic exercises with or without apparatus etc.
Q5.
What are the types of motor skills?
Ans. There are two types of motor
skills:
(a) Gross motor skills
(b) Fine motor skills
Q6.Write
two benefits of regular exercise.
Ans. Benefits of regular exercise
are:
(a) Improves blood circulation, which reduces
the risk of heart diseases.
(b) Improves physical wellness.
Q7.
Define food supplements.
Ans. Food supplements, also known
as dietary supplements, are meant to improve your diet by providing vitamins,
minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes and other beneficial substances in the
form of capsules, soft gels, caps and tablets.
Q8.
How can exercise reduce blood sugar levels?
Ans. Exercise reduces blood sugar
levels by preventing sugar from accumulating in the blood by triggering muscles
to take up more glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy. This can
reduce a person's risk of developing diabetes.
Q9. Write
some disadvantages of food supplements.
Ans. Some disadvantages of Food
supplements are:
(a) Liver damage
(b) Blurred vision
(c) Headache
(d) Bone pain
(e) Swelling, drowsiness and nausea
Q10.
What do you mean by weight training?
Ans. Weight training refers to
the exercise phase of the activity where weight in the form of bar-bells and
dumb-bells are used to condition and alter the sizes of various segments of the
body.
Q11.
Mention any two advantages of weight training.
Ans. 1. Weight training helps in
increasing bone density.
2. Weight training is also advantageous for
reducing stress and tension.
Q12. What
are the disadvantages of unsupervised weight training?
Ans. while performing
unsupervised weight training, there is a risk of getting injured if you are not
able to perform the required number of repetitions, but keep on trying. If
flexibility exercises are not carried on simultaneously with weight training,
it will reduce the flexibility of your body also.
Q13.
What do you mean by quality of life?
Ans. Quality of life means how
you live your life, what type of healthy you are having. If you are healthy and
enjoying your life, it can be said that you have a good quality of life.
Q14.
How can the minimum muscular strength for children be assessed?
Ans. we can use Kraus-Weber Tests
to assess minimum muscular strength for children between 9 and 12 years of age.
These tests don't require sophisticated equipment and are much easier to
administer than traditional tools.
Q15.
How does exercise control weight and strengthen bones?
Ans. Regular exercise controls
weight by burning the excess calories gained by consuming food. Exercise takes
the fat away and removes the excess weight. Exercise also strengthens bones by increasing
the bone density, making them stronger
Short
Answer Type questions (3 Marks)
Q.
What types of body movements does an infant start in the early stages of life?
Ans. The following types of body
movements are started by the infant:
(a) Arm is extended in front of eyes on the
side to which the head is turned, other arm remains flexed.
(b) Lifts one foot after another in stepping
response.
(c) Spontaneous grasp of adult’s finger.
(d) Lifts self by arms when prone.
(e) Rolls from side to back.
(f) Crawls
Q.
Enlist the basic movements of early childhood in a baby.
Ans. This period is also known as
preschool age and the movements during this period are:
(a) Ball handling,
(b)Fine eye-hand coordination,
(c) Walking leading to running,
(d) Good control over running.
(e) Climbing proficiency using ladders.
Q.
Can endurance influences motor development of children?
Ans. Yes, endurance influences
motor development of children. Endurance is the ability to maintain the exertion
required for an activity. A child with poor endurance might be able to step up
one stair but not climb a flight of stairs. Endurance involves many factors
such as muscle tone and strength, heart and lung function and motivation.
Q.
Define motor development in 6-12 year old children.
Ans. After the age of 6 years, it
becomes increasingly difficult to describe changes and differences in motor
skills development of a child. The following characteristics are evident:
(a) Teenagers are more subtle and are often to
fine motor skills only.
(b) By the age of one year, eye-hand
coordination has developed to being very good.
(c) Growth is relatively slow.
(d) This stage is terminated by the onset of
puberty.
(e) Motor skills are perfected and stabilized.
(f) Links can be made to physical developments.
Long
Answer Type Questions (5 marks)
Q1.
What do you mean by motor development? Explain the motor development during
childhood.
Ans. Motor development refers to
the development of a child’s bone, muscles and ability to move around and
manipulate his/her environment. In simple words, motor development means the
development of movement and various motor abilities from birth till death. In
other words, motor development is the progressive change in movement throughout
the life cycle.
1.
Early childhood (2 to 6 years): The period of early childhood starts from 2nd
year and continues till 6th year. The motor development during the period takes
place rapidly. It is also known as the preschool years. In this period a child
becomes, perfect in various fundamental movements such as running, jumping,
throwing and acquiring the ability to unite or combine these movements. In this
period children’s stride length increases and they develop a more mature
running pattern.
2.
Middle childhood (7 to 10 years): The period of middle childhood starts from 7th
year and continues upto the 10th year. In this period children become active
and agile. They have strong desire to engage in various physical movements and
activities. Children during this period have desire to compete with children of
their own age. They also have an urge to improve upon their previous
performance. During this period, most of the children achieve mature patterns
of fundamental motor skills.
3.
Late childhood (11 to 12 years): The period of late childhood begins from 11th
year and continues upto 12th year or till the beginning of sexual maturation
process. During this period, girls are
temporarily taller and heavier than boys because of the earlier onset of
puberty. Strength begins to differ but the differences are small. Boys and
girls are able to compete evenly. Most of the children are master to most
intricate or complex motor skills
Q2.
Enumerate about the motor development in early childhood.
Ans. The period of early
childhood starts from 2nd year and continues till 6th year. The motor
development during this period takes place rapidly. It is also known as the
preschool years. In this period a child becomes, perfect in various fundamental
movements such as running, jumping, throwing and acquires the ability to unite
or combine these movements. In this period children’s stride length increases
and they develop a more mate running pattern. During this period, proficiency
in climbing on ladders becomes efficient. They can hop and gallop skillfully.
The motor development at the end of early childhood achieves a satisfactory
level so the systematic training in various sports such as gymnastics and
swimming can be started because their basic movement like rolling, hanging,
pushing and pulling etc. become efficient. They can write these movements
efficiently under changing and difficult conditions. They become efficient in
various movement combinations such as running and jumping, catching and
throwing and running and throwing etc. However, they become efficient in such
movement but even these competitions should be avoided at this stage.
Q3.
Elucidate the motor development in middle childhood.
Ans. The period of middle
childhood starts from 7th year and continues upto the 10th years. In this
period children become active and agile. They have strong desire to engage in
various physical movement and activities. Children during this period have
desire to complete with children of their own age. They also have an urge to
improve upon his previous performance. During this period, most of the children
achieve mature patterns of fundamental motor skill. Their posture and balance
become better. They try to become efficient in the variation of movements which
they had already learnt. In fact, the same movements are performed differently
for different aims such as jumping for distance or height and throwing for
distance, height etc. They become efficient in movement coupling, movement
precision and movement flow. The speed abilities develop at a faster rate.
Coordinate abilities also show a higher level of development in this age group,
whereas flexibility develops at very slow rate. During this period, rules
should be flexible, instruction time should be short and there should be
minimum competitions. Stress should be given on movement correction.
Q4.
Explain the motor development in late childhood.
Ans. The period of late childhood
begins from list year and continues up to 12th year or till the beginning of
sexual maturation process. During this period girls are temporarily taller and
heavier than boys because of the earlier onset of puberty. Strength begins to
differ but the differences are small. Boys and girls are able to compete
evenly. Most of the children are master to most intricate or complex motor
skills. They are ready to learn strategies and more complex play combinations.
Running and jumping movements, qualitatively as well as quantitatively, develop
at a faster rate than in the middle childhood period. Coaches or teachers of
physical education should continue to encourage skill development with an
increasing stress on strategies and tactics.
Q5.
Explain any two factors affecting motor development.
Ans.
1. Nutrition
is also liable to affect the motor development. Indeed, nutritious food
promotes good motor development. Sensory motor development is dependent upon
nutrition. If children get nutritious food they get stronger which ultimately
leads to good motor development. On the other hand, if children do not get proper
nutrition they are found to be less energetic because their motor development
takes place slowly.
2. Postural deformities in
children definitely affects their motor development. Any postural deformity
viz., spinal curvature deformities, flat foot, knock-knees and bow legged etc.
creates hindrance in the path of motor development of children. In the absence
of postural deformities the motor development in children takes place at a
faster rate.
Q6.
Elaborate any three physiological benefits of exercise on children.
Ans. There are various physical
and physiological benefits of exercise on children which are described below:
1. Exercise builds strong bones. As a matter of
fact, exercise increases bone density which helps in preventing osteoporosis.
If regular exercise is not performed, the bones usually lose their density,
become weak, fragile and porous. Hence exercise is beneficial because it helps
in strengthening the bones.
2. Exercise helps in motor development of
infants and children at a faster rate which ultimately helps in making fine
movements in later life. By performing exercise in early age the movements of
muscles become efficient and smooth. It can also be said that their movements
become more attractive.
3. place at a faster rate, so for proper growth
and development, digestive process should be efficient. Research studies
indicate and exercise is beneficial for improving the digestive process. It
removes constipation, helps in making the absorption of food efficient. Food is
also digested properly because glands also start working efficiently.
Q7.
Discuss the precaution for taking food supplements.
Ans. Before taking food
supplements you should take following precautions:
1. First of all ensure that there is a lack of
essential nutrients in a child. Consult the doctor whether the child needs to
take food supplements or not.
2. Before purchasing an individual should
ensure that it is free from preservatives, contains no fillers and does not
contain any added sugar.
3. Food supplements may create harm if they are
taken in excessive dosage specially the minerals and fat soluble vitamins which
can be accumulated in the body. Some of the food supplements may cause harm due
to their rapid absorption in a short period of time.
4. Don’t pay heed to the words of salesman or
advertisements which claim that these supplements will improve the child’s
brain.
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