Chapter 10

Sociological Aspects of Children Moving

Chapter 10-objectives Briefly describe how children are

socialized into behaving as society expects.

Identify various agents within society who are part of the socialization process and describe each agent’s role in shaping behavior and attitudes.

Discuss socialization through and about movement.

Discuss inclusion as a socialization issue.

The Socialization of Children

Socialization is education It is the process through which children

Acquire a sense of personal identity Learn what people in the surrounding culture believe Discover how to behave according to the

expectations of that culture The process involves both “nature” and

“nurture” The process involves a collaborative effort

between the child and society

Socialization Agents Parents: the family is the primary agent of socialization.

Messages delivered vary based on size and composition of the family unit as well as the parenting styles used by the parents. Most effective style is “authoritative”.

School and peers: basic function of the school is to socialize the child into becoming an adequately functioning adult in the society. Schools allow friendships between and among peers to develop which is essential to the healthy development of the child.

The mass media: is a particularly enticing socialization agent. Messages conveyed are problematic in the areas of violence, gender and race stereotyping, and boy/girl relationships. And the time spent playing video games and watching television lessens the child’s time available to be physically active.

Movement as a Socialization Agent A central part of a child’s self-image involves

perceptions surrounding his or her performance competence within the physical realm.

Children who are physically skilled have better peer relations and higher self-esteem than those who are not physically skilled.

Society tells us “who we are” and “how we are expected to behave” relative to physical activity. Society defines

the role of physical activity in our lives appropriate activity partners appropriate activities (based on gender, etc.) the importance of winning

Movement as a Socialization Agent

Movement is used to help children learn about the concepts of cooperation, friendship, fairness, and “doing what’s right”.

Most physical educators teach the following social skills:

Following class rules and procedures Using appropriate etiquette for an activity Practicing physical skills in a safe manner Behaving ethically in the movement setting Interacting with others in a positive manner Developing the skills of teamwork and cooperation

Socializing Children to be Physically Active

The influence of parents Parental encouragement Parental involvement Parental facilitation Parental role modeling

The teacher-parent partnership Parents and teachers need to become major partners

in their efforts to produce physically active children.

Inclusion as a Socialization IssueRespecting Diversity

When society’s messages are harmful to children, educators must step forward and be agents of change.

Find a way students in wheelchairs to play football Find ways to encourage a boy who wants to dance

instead of play football

NASPE standard 6 indicates that children should “demonstrate understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity setting”.

Assessment of Social Skills

Student self-awareness: used to give students an opportunity to reflect on their own behavior at a certain point in time. Verbally In writing (logs and journals) With checklists Peer/colleague evaluations videotaping