ABSTRACT
Sport has been identified as a favourable tool for promoting positive youth development (PYD). Moreover, the development of life skills is highlighted for supporting youth to thrive in and beyond sport. Due to the limited discussions in Brazil regarding PYD and life skills both in research and in the structuring of sport programs, this paper aims to provide understanding to scholars, coaches, and sport stakeholders on the foundations of PYD and life skills and on how to integrate them within Brazilian sport contexts. Thus, after exploring the foundations and definitions related to PYD and life skills and the approaches to their facilitation in sport, the authors present a proposal based on three principles and five procedures. The principles include: (a) reflect and develop your philosophy, (b) cultivate a positive climate, and (c) develop meaningful relationships with your athletes. Further, the five procedures are: (1) select and discuss the life skill of the day; (2) practice the selected life skill, (3) integrate the life skill during the practice, (4) discuss and reflect on the life skill application and transfer to other contexts, and (5) create opportunities to facilitate life skills transfer. Practical examples are provided throughout the proposal to support coaches in applying these concepts in sport.
Keywords:
Sport pedagogy; Life skills; Coaching methods; Education
Source: The authors