CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Organized Sport and Physcial Recreation

These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain. 

 

A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators. 

 

For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.

1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",

5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and

10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".

 

This is designed to be printed and done communally. 

 

FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

 

there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in team sports

 

there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in individual sports

 

there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in outdoor recreation

 

there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in cooperative games

 

there are opportunities for all children and youth to participate in experiential learning games such as Play it Fair! or Speaking Rights

 

there is equal opportunity of participation, regardless of gender

co-ed programs are offered, regardless of age

 

opportunities encouraging and supporting inclusivity are offered, especially for children with special needs

 

there is an equal opportunity for all children and youth to participate, regardless of economic barriers

publicly subsidized services are accessible at little to no cost for young people directly

 

there is a high availability and accessibility of sports which require little equipment (e.g. ultimate (Frisbee) and cross-country running)

 

programs have processes to accept equipment donations 

 

information is widely available and distributed to encourage children and youth to exercise at home

 

programs should focus on maintaining a balance between fun and skill development, and competition and cooperation

 

age-appropriate rules and/or “Fair play” codes address appropriate roles and behaviour of children and youth during play

 

age-appropriate rules and/or “Fair play” codes address appropriate roles and behaviour of parents and coaches/leaders

 

opportunities exist for children and youth to meet and interact with professional athletes

 

coaches/leaders have training on child and youth health issues, including abuse prevention

 

coaches/leaders have training on child rights

 

coaches/leaders have training on safety and first aid

 

coaches/leaders are carefully selected and receive a criminal record check

 

there are opportunities for older children and youth to play leadership roles and to act as mentors for younger children

 

mentorship programs are well advertised

 

mentorship programs are open to all young people

 

mentorship programs are supported with training for mentors and mentees

 

there is injury prevention education for children, youth, and parents

 

the use of safety equipment is promoted

 

there is a planned responses to accidents and injuries that all parties are aware of

 

sites are checked regularly to ensure a safe environment for recreation

 

parents are encouraged to be engaged in sports and recreational activities with their children and youth with community organizations and schools, and at home

 

a youth advisory board is part of the management structure of recreation services and organizations

children and youth are encouraged to be creative in envisioning new games that are safe appropriate for the group to play

OUR COMMUNITY IS

1- UNFRIENDLY             5- OK                     10-A LEADER