Part of the healthy development of kids is the expansion of their social circle. Each stage brings new social atmospheres, from joining a sports team to interacting with their first teacher to making new friends. Sometimes new social settings might mean developing new connections with adults they can look up to- like coaches or volunteers.
It’s an exciting time but it can also feel a bit nerve-racking for parents and caregivers. We want kids to explore, connect, and build confidence, but we also want to keep them safe. One of the most important parts of our job is helping kids to learn healthy communication, how to handle challenges, and how safe relationships should look and feel. We know these skills won’t just help them now but that these are foundational skills for independence and self-confidence that last well into adulthood.
Since there’s no official instruction manual for parenting through every new stage, we can often be left wondering how to keep our kids safe in new environments that could include other adults. While this stage in a child’s development might feel full of unknowns, by staying involved, asking questions, and keeping open conversations going, we can collectively help kids feel secure and supported.
Below, we’re offering tips, strategies, and resources for supporting kids as they branch out into new social networks related to sport.
Recognize Positive Environments
Parents and guardians are a child’s greatest resource. You help them get to practice, cheer them on at games, and observe all types of interactions—between parents, coaches, and teammates.
Parents who are educated and aware of what defines a positive sport environment are more prepared to spot misconduct early and step in to address it, helping make their child’s sport environment safer.
So, what does a sport environment based on kindness and respect look like? Let’s explore some attributes of a positive team environment.
- The well-being of all athletes is a priority. Effective coaches are respectful and inclusive of everyone. Observe the way your child’s coach communicates and interacts with each Do they model respect and compassion? How do they interact with officials and the other parents?
- Support is a team value. A supportive sport environment is one that includes and encourages the participation of all athletes, regardless of if they’re a star player or recovering from an injury.
- Winning isn’t everything. While winning is fun and motivating, it should never come at the cost of athlete growth and well-being. Watch for how the coach and other adults, including parents, handle losing during competition.
When parents and guardians understand the characteristics of a respectful sport environment, they can help create it—and they’re better positioned to support their child as they navigate new sport settings and relationships.
Check Your Child’s Coach or Sport
While your child is exploring this new world of sport, you can explore SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database (CDD) and as a tool to help ensure the new connections they’re making are safe. The CDD lists individuals who are currently restricted in some way or barred from participation in U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sport.
Parents and guardians can use the CDD to search their child’s coach—or the name of any adult who interacts with their child—and find out if they are currently under any form of temporary or permanent restriction within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement. You can also search by your child’s sport. For support during the search process, explore SafeSport’s What If I Recognize a Name in the CDD? resource.
Stay Aware and Informed
Having tools and resources on hand can help you feel more prepared to support your child’s social growth. Consider downloading SafeSport Ready™, our prevention education mobile app, where you can easily access articles and search SafeSport’s CDD from your phone.
As a parent or guardian, we are not perfect and we cannot be everywhere all the time. What we can do is take steps to inform ourselves so we can advocate for our children and support them as they grow their connections and expand their social circle.
Report a Concern
Report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if you have experienced abuse or misconduct—or if you have reasonable suspicion of abuse or misconduct—inflicted by someone in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. You can make a report online at uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern or leave a message by calling the center at 833-587-7233.
For more information and resources, visit the U.S. Center for SafeSport website at uscenterforsafesport.org/abuse-prevention-resources. The center also has a new mobile app, SafeSport Ready, available for download at uscenterforsafesport.org/safesport-ready-app. The app gives access to safety tools, even when you are on the go.
