Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports

A Self-Instruction Program for Youth Sport Parents

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If sports are to make the greatest possible contribution to youngsters’ development, parents must be involved. Mothers and fathers can learn to be successful sport parents by watching the Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports–a research-based self-instruction video that complements the program for coaches and is designed to get parents and coaches “on the same page” to the benefit of children. The primary focus is on encouraging parents to provide a mastery motivational climate that emphasizes a definition of success as self-improvement, giving maximum effort, and enjoying the activity for its own sake instead of defining success as winning and besting others. A major theme is emphasized: What young athletes learn in sports carries over into their everyday lives. The program also discusses appropriate parent behavior, relations with coaches, and answers many questions that parents have.

The Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports is based on over 25 years of experience in youth sport coaching and parent education. The program was originally developed and delivered as a 60-minute workshop, and it has been transformed into a 45-minute video self-instruction program. The program is appropriate for parents who have relatively little athletic experience, as well as those who have a strong background in sports.

Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports Video Content Outline

• Introduction
• The scope of youth sports in the U.S.A.
• Program objective: help parents create a mastery climate that promotes healthy attitudes about achievement in sports and in everyday life
• The Mastery Triangle
• A child-centered orientation that promotes cooperation among parents, coaches, administrators, and sports officials
• Youth Sport Objectives and Values
• Goals of youth sports from the perspectives of parents and young athletes
• Difference between developmental and professional models of sport
• "Professionalization" of youth sports
• Achievement in Sports and in Life
• Keeping sports in perspective
• Defining success in terms of mastery versus ego orientations to achievement
• Effects of a mastery-oriented climate on youngsters’ personal, social, and athletic development
• The Real Meaning of Winning
• A health philosophy of winning
• How to teach a mastery-oriented philosophy of winning
• Parent Roles and Responsibilities
• Challenges for parents relative to their youngsters’ involvement in sports
• Combating Athletic Stress
• The nature and consequences of performance anxiety
• How to reduce fear of failure and avoid parent-induced stress
• Parent Behavior at Sport Events
• Rules for parents’ conduct
• Controlling spectator anger
• How to deal with parents who misbehave
• Getting Along With Your Child’s Coach
• How to establish and maintain open lines of communication
• Youth Sport Issues and Challenges
• Major questions that parents have about youth sports