Research Questions

Morgan Sousa

1. I am interested in researching and writing about children's social development.

2. I am interested in this topic because growing up I was very shy. However, when I started playing sports I began to break out of my shell. Through sports I learned the basic social skills that I now use everyday. I am interested in researching how playing sports help a child develop better social skills.

3. Playing sports can potentially be a buffer against social anxiety in elementary school children. Social skills training in sports settings is more acceptable than clinic-based group social skills training to children and their parent. Children learn to interact with peers, respect rules and sports require everyday life skills.

4. Some people think that starting children in sports at a young age cause them to become too competitive or violent. Also if the start to young they may get burnt out or feel the pressure of always needing to be perfect in their performance. Some also so children are more at risk for being bullied.

5. Yes

6. How sports help children with social anxiety. The building of friendships. The lessons learned from sports. Summer sports camps. Social skills learned in school versus while playing sports. Does the skills learned carry over into other parts of life. Character building. How parents help children develop socially through sports. How coaches/mentors effect the child's development.

7. How can sports help children with social disabilities?
At what age is it good for shy kids to start playing sports?
How does playing sports kids socialize in school?
What social skills will they gain?

8. Socialization, extracurricular activities, cohesion, social anxiety