Part of the Do's and don'ts – how to keep children and young people safe series.
To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all children and young people participating in sport, children and young people must be made aware of the acceptable limits of their behaviour.
Children and young people should always be provided with clear directions and given an opportunity to redirect their behaviour in a positive way.
Watch the positive guidance video
Do
- Set clear guidelines for expected behaviour.
- Use strategies that are fair, respectful, and appropriate to the developmental stage of the children and young people involved.
- Address poor behaviour in a calm and firm manner.
- Help children and young people to behave within the limits set.
- Create a ‘safe space’ for children and young people to have a say and speak up if they feel unsafe or unsure.
- Encourage children and young people to talk about their feelings and the possible reasons for their emotions.
Don’t
- Use training practices that are inappropriate for the stage of psychological and physical development of the child or young person.
- Under any circumstances, take disciplinary action involving physical punishment or any form of treatment that could reasonably be considered as degrading, cruel, frightening or humiliating.
- Isolate a child or young person from the group as a form of punishment.
- Force a child or young person to do something against their will.
