As coaches, parents, and captains of play, we often hold the keys to unlocking a child's potential on and off the football pitch. Just as a well-placed pass can lead to a goal scoring opportunity, our words can shape a young player's understanding of the game, boost their confidence, and ignite their passion.
In this blog, we'll explore the concept of child-friendly language and its impact in Play Phase sessions.
What do we mean child-friendly language?
Child friendly language is not a new concept, it is simply the way in which we can get attempt to get across complex messages to young minds using age-appropriate words, phrases, and themes that they can identify with.
Here are a few essential principles which may support how we can do this:
1. Clarity and simplicity
Just as a clean interception can win possession, child-friendly language avoids unnecessary complexity. Instead of saying, "The goalkeeper executed a lateral dive to parry the shot," we might say, "The goalie jumped sideways to save the ball." Although they essentially mean the same thing, one uses common phrases children may understand with more ease.
2. Concrete and visual
Children thrive on vivid imagery. Using relatable examples and visual cues helps them grasp football concepts. For instance, explaining "running quickly" as "moving like a cheetah" or “move slowly through obstacles” as “pretend you are creeping through a maze not stepping on traps” paints a memorable picture, leaning into imaginative play and can often support creative thinking!
3. Positive and encouraging
Our words shape a child's self-perception. Encouragement, praise, and positivity build their confidence. Instead of saying, "You missed the goal," we can say, "Great effort! Next time, aim for the top corner!" sometimes we need to remember these little people need to be encouraged to be brave and not focus always where it has gone wrong!
4. Empathetic and respectful
Acknowledging feelings fosters trust. When a young player feels nervous before a match, saying, "It's normal to feel excited. Take a deep breath—you've got this!" shows empathy. Above everything the Play Phase is about ensuring the children who are beginning their journey to understanding their body and we need to try and let them know we are here to help, and we understand the feelings they may be having… good and bad!
Benefits of child-friendly language in football and the play phase
1. Cognitive development
Child-friendly football language stimulates cognitive growth and how children think, explore and figure things out. Simple, age-appropriate words enhance football vocabulary. When we describe "passing," "shooting," and "defending," using emotive words, we may ignite curiosity, we can help create links with things they already know helping development. Clear language aids understanding, children often absorb football concepts better when they're presented in a friendly, straightforward manner.
2. Emotional well-being
Words carry emotional weight. Child-friendly language can help boost self-esteem. Encouraging phrases like "You're a great teammate" or “well done for being so brave and trying” can nurture self-belief. It can even help reduce anxiety, when we explain game rules using gentle language, young players feel less anxious and more willing to be creative. At the end of the day, no one wants to get things wrong and be embarrassed, so we can start with the words we use!
3. Social skills
By role modelling positive and friendly language we can support the social skills of the little minds, often they will copy our phrasing so using words such as Turn-Taking or working as part of a team, can help embed these concepts. In 2V2 games and tasks child-friendly language can help encourage teamwork by encouraging children to say things such as "I’ll pass, and you can shoot!". We can even help develop skills such as Empathy, which we know can be tricky for children of this age, describing feelings helps children understand teammates. "Look, your friend is disappointed. Let's encourage them." Perhaps even ask a question to help them understand their own feelings such as “how would you feel if someone passed you a ball and you scored”.
4. Avoid pre-conceptions of what everyone ‘thinks’ they ‘already know’.
We can support children working with against other players in many ways. However, it is important to consider common ‘adult preconceptions of football’ and the misconception the sport must revolve around competitive 11 V 11 matches. One way we can do this is by aiming to create environments in which children can play and pretend, By utilising make believe worlds in which children have the chance to become witches, wizards or gladiators we can help promote all the fundamental movements and skills the child would utilise without necessarily having to deal with the added ‘technical’ knowledge or opinions on positions or footballing philosophy. Quite often children will turn up to sessions wanting to ‘play matches’ without having any real concept of what that may entail.
5. Igniting passion and excitement
The Play Phase concept has been created to help young children develop an excitement for moving their bodies and understanding how much fun physical activity can be. The language we use can have a significant impact on this lifelong engagement, for instance if we add exciting emotive wording to the way in which we convey a message it can have a knock-on effect that can last a lifetime. Consider asking a player to “get the ball from one end to another without being tackled” or “As a knight, I would like you to safely transport this precious treasure from your castle, to another without a Dragon coming and stealing it” for a 5 year old that excitement from their Captain Of Play, Parent, Coach or simply an adult can make all the difference on how much they want to take part.
To conclude, it is important to remember that the work you are doing and the support you offer to the children is fantastic. We must ensure we embrace the excitement shown by many of the children and sometimes consider the thought that ‘it’s not just what you say, it’s the way you say it’.