Study Group to Consider
a Better Sports Environment for Children
The aim of our group is to structure a better sports environment for children, and from psychological knowledge, we considered what methods there are for instructors to give better guidance and for guardians to have better relationships with children. We also considered such issues as a desirable manner for athletes themselves to get involved in sports from the viewpoint of lifelong sporting activity and coping methods for feelings of unease before competition.
For children, participating in sports has significant effects. The many positive effects include making friends, gaining physical strength, learning teamwork and patience, and gaining self-confidence. On the other hand, there are also reports of the negative effect of losing self-confidence, burning out, getting injured, and concerns about judgment from adults. For children to continue participating in sports, they need the support of adults. In this regard, we have conducted research focusing on adults involved in children’s sports. Further, to consider what a better sports environment for children is, we observed community sports in America, which has an active sports culture, and exchanged views with a great number of instructors and guardians.
With the above research and exchanges of views, we prepared video instructional materials for instructors and guardians titled “Players First,” as well as instructor, guardian, and athlete editions of a “Mental Training Worksheet” incorporating Morita Therapy. We invite all those with an interest in children’s sports to use these instructional materials and research results.
Group Members
Leader:
Etsuko Togo (Professor, Department of Child Psychology, Tokyo Future University)
Ph.D. (University of Tsukuba) coursework completed without degree at The United Graduate School of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University
Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Developmental Psychologist, TFT Therapist (diagnostic level), BSP Therapist (Level 2)
My current specialties are clinical psychology and community psychology. I am involved in child care and child rearing support, school clinical work, and recently clinical work in sports venues. In particular, my work includes considering feelings of unease toward competition from the perspective of Morita Therapy and incorporating encouragement from the viewpoint of individual psychology. In terms of individual clinical work, I am also interested in sports trauma. Through the sports of my three children (rugby and basketball), I have met a variety of people. Through sports, children will undoubtedly develop good health as well as develop cross-border and cross-generational ties and be able to grow as people! Toward this end, I hope to contribute to research and clinical work.
Members:
Megumi M. Ohashi (Associate Professor, Department of Child Psychology, Tokyo Future University)
Ph.D. (Social Psychology), Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo
In graduate school, I studied social psychology and cultural psychology, and have been a part-time instructor in various universities including Tokyo Gakugei University, Atomi University, and The Open University of Japan. I assumed my post at Tokyo Future University in 2007, the same time that the University opened. Aside from teaching psychology, statistics, and other courses, I encountered regional sports while raising two children. Although this was supposed to have been fun at the beginning, with the children gaining physical strength and making friends, after a while I saw that their skills were not improving and I became impatient. I perceived the effectiveness of sports teams as a place of growth for children and began this research. I am proficient in conducting surveys and statistical analysis.
Yumiko Iume ( Associate Professor, Department of Child Psychology, Tokyo Future University)
Ph.D. coursework completed without degree at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University
Clinical Psychologist
My area of specialty is clinical psychology. I have worked as a clinical psychologist in mental health clinics and pediatric departments. Currently, I am teaching psychology at Tokyo Future University with a focus on clinical psychology and parent-child relationships. My involvement in community sports began through the participation of my own children. For modern children, who have little opportunity for free physical activity, sports are very important as an opportunity for a familiar activity. I would like to conduct research aiming for sports activities that both parents and children can enjoy.