BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Sport, Exercise and Fitness

Children in Sport
Module Number: SP-017

Notional hours: 150 Credits value: 15 Level: 1

Description of module
An understanding of how children grow and develop is essential to sport and physical
education. This module aims to provide the knowledge and skills required for
effective teaching and coaching of children in a sporting context. This module
focuses on the patterns of growth and physical development of children, their
behaviour in sport and their psychological responses to the competitive environment.
The part that sport plays in healthy growth and development of children is also
examined. It is recognised that the sports teacher/coach has a responsibility to
provide safe and effective practice for the developing child. This is imposed in part by
legislation and directives from a number of agencies that are accountable for child
safety in sport. With this in mind the module addresses additional demands placed
on the sports teacher/coach. The module also explores the impact the sports
teacher/coach can have upon the physical, psychological and skill development of
the child.
The module also reinforces the need for reflection when planning to teach and coach
children.
This module covers the relevant underpinning knowledge for students wishing to be
employed in the sport and leisure sector and local leisure authorities as national
governing body sports coaches, development officers, sports development officers,
and physical education and sports teachers.

Key features to Planned Experience

This module should be delivered together with the Sports Coaching module. A
relevant sports teaching/coaching placement should be sought so that students can
develop their understanding of physical growth and social and psychological
development of children. It is essential that the experience gained at the placement is
reviewed and evaluated both by students and their tutor, and feedback and progress
should be recorded. It is suggested that students keep a record of their observations
and this should form part of the assessment. Much of this module’s content could be
delivered through observation and analysis, reflection and adapted practice during a
physical education class. Practical PE lessons teaching/involving children provides
an ideal opportunity to study a child’s growth, development and behaviour.
In order for students to achieve module outcomes 1, 2 and 4 they could conduct
individual investigations of human growth and development and provide examples of
how physical activity plays an important part in the development of the child. This can
be achieved by a case study approach with close reference to the underpinning
theory. The student may then suggest adaptive practices in order to promote a safe
and effective learning environment.

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Pre-validation Draft Module © London Qualifications Ltd. 2004

Children in Sport – 17/03/04
Edexcel Code: 20775W
BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Sport, Exercise and Fitness

Children in Sport
Module Number: SP-017

To achieve module outcome 3 students could work closely with outside agencies in
sport (eg local authorities, schools and clubs, national governing bodies), who will
provide relevant industry knowledge on legislation relating to the health and safety of
children engaged in sport.
This module provides the underpinning knowledge and information needed to
understand the planning of sports coaching sessions and physical education lessons.
There are opportunities for integrating this module’s assignments with those from the
Sports Coaching modules and the contents of this module may provide a realistic
way of preparing for teaching/coaching.
It is suggested that 60% of the assessment should be based on the investigation for
outcomes 1, 2 and 4. Students could produce a report for outcome 3 which should
contribute to 20% of the assessment. The final 20% of the assessment could be
based on observations, analysis and evaluation of a coaching session taught by a
professional coach.

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Pre-validation Draft Module © London Qualifications Ltd. 2004

Children in Sport – 17/03/04
Edexcel Code: 20775W
BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Sport, Exercise and Fitness

Children in Sport
Module Number: SP-017

Module outcomes and indicative content

1: Review how the young child develops physically,

psychologically and socially
Studying human growth and development: introduction, definitions, concepts and
principles
Physical development: bone and muscle tissue growth and development, growth
patterns in body dimensions; body composition; somatotyping children; functional
development eg heart and lungs; motor development; strength development and
physiological responses to exercise; hormonal regulation of growth and biological
maturation
Psychological development: viewing success and failure; patterns of skill acquisition;
motivation; personality; children’s anxiety in sport; stress and burn-out; character
development
Social development: patterns of social development; interpersonal relationships;
personal development; self-concept; body image; family values and coach-family
relationship; group affiliation and role definition; gender issues

2: Investigate how sport and physical activity play an

important part in the development of the child
Physical activity as a factor in growth, development and maturation: studies on
growth and development and impact of sport (eg TOYA Report and the work of the
Institute of Child Development)
Physical activity as a factor in social development: understanding and developing
‘self’; developing ‘identity’ within a group; sport as a means for learning social
behaviour; sport as an achievement situation
Physical activity as a factor in psychological development: sport as an achievement
situation; managing anxiety and stress in sport; goal setting with children; coping with
winning and losing in sport; motivational climate

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Pre-validation Draft Module © London Qualifications Ltd. 2004

Children in Sport – 17/03/04
Edexcel Code: 20775W
BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Sport, Exercise and Fitness

Children in Sport
Module Number: SP-017

3: Analyse the increasing demands imposed on the sports

teacher/coach in relation to the needs of the developing child
Legislation: The National Curriculum; Child Protection Act; Health and Safety Act;
Community Law Directive; negligence
Government’s plan for sport: policies relating to children eg social inclusion, health
and welfare, participation rates, crime prevention
Examination physical education: the impact of the modern curriculum on
aims/objectives for physical education
Parental involvement: the role of the parent in training and competition; the parental
involvement continuum; the sporting triangle

4: Analyse the impact the sports teacher/coach can have on

the physical, psychological and skill development of the child
Adaptive practices: mini-games for understanding; adapting the environment, rules
and the number of players to provide appropriate practices for effective learning
Inclusive teaching: adapting the practice situation to optimise learning and including
all children in the learning environment

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Pre-validation Draft Module © London Qualifications Ltd. 2004

Children in Sport – 17/03/04
Edexcel Code: 20775W
BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Sport, Exercise and Fitness

Children in Sport
Module Number: SP-017

Dedicated resources
This module lends itself to active and practical delivery. Students would benefit from
talking to an experienced sports teacher/coach and observing them in action.
Students should have access to appropriate sports facilities.
Seminars should be used to facilitate the student’s knowledge and understanding of
the principles associated with sports teaching and coaching. Students should be
directed towards resources and relevant information and should take responsibility
for developing knowledge of contemporary issues in their elected sports. The
following organisations may be helpful: sports coach UK, SkillsActive (formerly
SPRITO), DfEs, Physical Education Association (UK) (PEA) and the Institute of Child
Development.

Indicative reading
Cross, N and Lyle, J (Editors) — The Coaching Process: Principles and Practice for
Sport (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999) ISBN: 0750641312
Foxon, F — Improving Practices and Skills (Coachwise Ltd, 1999) ISBN:
190252313X
Launder, A — Play Practice: The Games Approach to Teaching and Coaching Sports
– 4th Edition (Human Kinetics, 2001) ISBN: 0736030050
Graham, G — Teaching Children Physical Education – 2nd Edition (Human Kinetics
2000) ISBN: 0736033351
Malina, R / Bouchard, C and Bar-Or, O — Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity –
2nd Edition (Human Kinetics, 2003) ISBN: 0880118822
Martens, R — Successful Coaching – 2nd Edition (Human Kinetics, 2004) ISBN:
0880116668

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Pre-validation Draft Module © London Qualifications Ltd. 2004

Children in Sport – 17/03/04
Edexcel Code: 20775W