The Immature Brain: How To Help An Emotional Child
By working with David Charlton, you and your organisation will be better equipped to rise to modern day challenges and better informed to thrive on and off the pitch, course or court. Where he inspires individuals and teams to:
- Cope with pressure and challenges more effectively
- Maintain positive mental health
- Compete with confidence more often
- Manage your emotions better
- Improve your commitments levels
David is a Mental Toughness Practitioner, as well as a Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. He has successfully supported athletes, teams and organisations for over 10 years in order to ensure that they perform at their maximum more often.
He has a comprehensive knowledge around the development of Mental Toughness, a plastic personality trait, which determines or limits people to deal effectively with change, challenges and stressors. In today’s climate, during the Coronavirus pandemic this quality is becoming more and more valuable to individuals, teams and organisations.
In this podcast episode, David focuses on the emotional control aspect of mental toughness. Where he discusses the emotional states that children may experience before and during competitions and matches. He shares a personal story about his son’s first competitive league football match, highlighting the typical nervousness and arousal levels children and parents experience.
David also emphasises the fact children have an immature brain and draws on psychological research which highlights the need for parents and coaches to adopt a calm, patient and supportive approach, recognising they act as a role model and that children easily pick up on their behaviours and reactions.
Key Learning Points:
- It’s important for parents, parent-coaches and coaches to reflect and recognise the emotional state and arousal levels their children and players experience before and during competitive events and matches, as well as their own levels of arousal and how this can impact their children and players.
- It’s possible to consider ways to make the experience calmer for children, listening to their needs and wishes before and during competitions and matches.
- For some children, allowing them to use electronic devices, bringing a comfort item in the car, or avoiding discussions about their sport can be useful ideas.
- Arguably, focusing on highlighting your child’s strengths and positive experiences when providing advice or support is more beneficial before and during a match, than overwhelming them with too much information, especially negatives.
Connect with David Charlton
Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub
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To Listen to Related Podcasts To Help Children In Sport
Ep122: Prof Camilla Knight – Helping Your Children Get The Most From Their Sporting Experiences
Ep082: David Charlton – Supporting Children in Sport with Positive Feedback
Ep049: James Maurice – How Does Sport Psychology in Elite Football Academies Help
Blogs And Case Studies To Support Children In Sport
Blog 3 Tips to Help Children Enjoy Their Sport
Blog: Pre Match Tips for Parents
Blog: How does Counselling work in Professional Sport?
Blog: 5 Reasons Why Being Released from a Football Academy is Difficult
Case Study: How to Cope with Performance Anxiety in Gymnastics
Case Study: Supporting a Young Footballer to Overcome His Fears
Relevant Resources in Supporting Sporting Children
Sports Psychology Resources for Youth Sport (Blogs, Podcasts, Video’s)
Sport Psychology for Children and Parents
Child and Youth Motivation for Sport Quiz
Parent Motivation for Sport Quiz
Click the button below to join The Sports Psychology Hub a Facebook group that David hosts to help ambitious athletes, serious sport coaches, sporting parents, sports psychologists and mental game coaches to support each other.
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Best Wishes
David Charlton
Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally. David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australian and New Zealand.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub. With over 10 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.
T: +44 7734 697769
