We believe it is critical for coaches to understand the emotions and feelings of youth in under-resourced communities, many of whom have faced systemic inequalities. Some of these experiences like discrimination, economic hardship, racism and exposure to violence can many times result in toxic stress, a condition that can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.
Fortunately, research indicates that supportive, responsive, relationships with caring adults such as a teacher or a coach can prevent or reverse the damaging effects of toxic stress response.
This course teaches coaches how to appreciate the perspective of kids to connect with them and to create positive outcomes together.
Because Coaching Corps believes empathy is essential to effective coaching, especially in the wake of the effects of the pandemic, we have taken the extraordinary step of offering this virtual course free to any coach in the country who coaches kids living in under-resourced communities.
When kids emerge from the pandemic and return to youth sports, the world will look very different. Our youth have experienced a year of isolation, social unrest and economic hardship. Now more than ever it is critical that anyone working with kids understands the importance of empathy.
Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from within, rather than being forced. 1
We believe the trauma some kids experience should not define them. All kids have the potential to learn and thrive. Through strong connections and listening to athletes to understand their perspectives, coaches can create healing environments where kids believe in their own strengths and their potential. The foundation of building a healing environment is empathy.
Kids who have an empathetic coach know they will be listened to, that their perspective and experience will be heard and understood without judgement. When young people experience empathy they will feel more connected, be able to make friends more easily, have a higher capacity to learn and grow, and can experience less damaging effects of repeated stress.
https://blog.neolms.com/teaching-empathy-for-better-learning-outcomes
https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/empathy-and-learning/
Empathy fuels connection. It shows kids you know they’re experiencing something—even if you don’t understand exactly how it feels to them. Empathy says: “I want you to know you’re not alone. And I want to understand how this feels to you.”
This message is critically important for kids to hear, particularly from a trusted adult. When kids feel understood and supported, they’re more likely to stay motivated. Your empathy can also help kids become more self-aware and better able to identify emotions, and speak up for what they need.
Coaches who use empathy understand that kids’ experiences impact how they show up in programs. Instead of reacting to kids who have trouble managing their emotions, a coach who uses empathy will seek to understand the story behind those emotions.
Empathy can help you and your players work together as a team to handle challenges as they arise and will help you connect with kids during difficult moments.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/understanding-childs-challenges/talking-with-your-child/the-importance-of-showing-empathy-to-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences
Coaches will learn how to 1) create a positive and healing team environment where kids feel safe, seen, heard, and valued, 2) recognize their athletes’ strengths, 3) unlock their potential.
Coaches learn to apply a research-based framework developed by Coaching Corps that teaches them to:
We believe training is an ongoing journey. Coaches will gain access to the latest resources, instructive trainings, and mentoring support through our digital platform.
Additional Resources
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-be-more-empathetic
https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/empathy-and-learning/
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/26819/empathy-the-key-to-social-and-emotional-learning
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/36448/why-its-imperative-to-teach-empathy-to-boys
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/in_a_divided_world_we_need_to_choose_empathy
Anyone working with youth can reap the benefits of our empathy training. The training provides coaches with the framework to create meaningful connections with young people, so coaches can seek to understand youth’s experiences, and develop positive outcomes with each player, and their team.
Given how critical we believe the training is, we have committed to offering this tool to coaches working in our most under-resourced communities across the country for FREE. For those working in resourced communities, just pay $25 for access.
We are charging $25 which will allow a coach to take all our online trainings, leverage the latest coaching resources and access our digital platform to find youth coaching opportunities.
The benefits of empathy for young people can be restorative and transformative. Experiencing empathy from a caring and trusted adult can:
References:
Casel
www.casel.org
Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality
www.cypq.org
Center on the Developing Child Harvard University
www.developingchild.harvard.edu/
Edutopia
www.edutopia.org
Ashoka
www.ashoka.org
Brene Brown
www.brenebrown.com
Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida
City of Orlando Athletics
JT Dorsey Foundation
Gompers Preparatory Academy
High Tech High
La Maestra Foundation – Center for Youth Advancement at Generations
The Monarch School
Pro Kids | The First Tee of San Diego
Soccer Kids America
YMCA of San Diego County
A Place Called Home
AFFIRMATIVE ATHLETICS
After School All Stars: Los Angeles
Boys & Girls Club of Venice
Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica
Boys and Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor
Brotherhood Crusade
City of Huntington Park Department of Parks
East Los Angeles Rising Youth Club
Equitas Academy
Girls on the Run of Los Angeles
Girls Play Los Angeles
ICES Education
IMPACTO
L.A.C.E.R. Afterschool Programs
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
Los Angeles Rec and Parks
Major League Baseball Youth Academy
Norwalk La Mirada Unified
P.F. Bresee Foundation
Sloane Stephens Foundation
Street Soccer USA: Los Angeles
Team Prime Time
Variety Boys & Girls Club
Watts Rams
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
All Dorchester Sports and Leadership
Boston Centers for Youth & Families
Boston SCORES
Cambridge Community Center
East End House
Oak Square YMCA
Sole Train: Boston Runs Together
