As some states and communities return to youth sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents are trying to navigate this new experience on their own. Project Play is here to help. While some questions are best answered by public health experts based on local conditions, there are guidelines and best practices that are very useful. We will periodically answer youth sports parents’ questions in this Project Play Parent Mailbag.
For kids with disabilities, sports will return much more cautiously
Player advice for coaches on mental health: “Don’t talk at me, talk to me”
Events of the past few months have brought high anxiety, grief and trauma for kids and families. As we return to play, what actions can we take to ensure that life skills and mental health are central to kids’ sports experiences? What role can adults play in shaping these experiences? Read highlights from Project Play’s webinar.
Will youth sports embrace apps tracking return to play rules?
Why the time is now to coach mental health in youth sports
How sports can help rebuild America
U.S. Soccer advises phased return to play, no youth travel tournaments
Experts: Youth sports need new infrastructure, partnerships
Many kids are pushed out or priced out of the current youth sports system already. What steps need to be taken to avoid a participation drop after COVID-19? Can we create a model where youth sports helps the whole community recover? Read highlights from Project Play’s sixth webinar.
How vulnerable are kids to COVID-19? Youth sports navigate uncertainty
The risk of kids becoming infected with the coronavirus and transmitting it to adults has become a central question in whether to reopen youth sports. Data show children are getting infected at much lower rates than adults. Still, many health experts caution that it’s too soon to declare kids a lower risk.
Business vs. safety: USSSA guidelines for travel sports raise concerns
Will there be enough officials when youth sports games return?
Bikes are having a moment: Kids turn to riding during COVID-19
Health experts: Travel games should be last to return in youth sports
As some states begin to reopen from coronavirus pandemic restrictions, youth sports are starting to return in pockets of the country. On May 13, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play hosted our fifth webinar, this one aimed at understanding what steps should be taken to safely bring youth sports back.
‘Wild west’: Youth sports providers weigh liability risks
Press release: Helping people return to play - Aspen Institute creates COVID-19 risk assessment tool
New resource analyzes risk in a variety of sport, recreational activities.
Survey: 31% of parks departments already cut 2020-21 budgets
Helping people return to play – Aspen Institute creates COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool
The Aspen Institute releases Return to Play, the first cross-sport risk assessment guide that sets out how various sport and recreation activities can be enjoyed while minimizing transmission or contraction of the COVID-19 virus.
Ex-MLB star Omar Vizquel: Let health experts decide return of youth sports
How can kids engage in creative and safe play during the crisis with organized sports on hold? On April 29, the Aspen institute’s Project Play hosted our fourth webinar, this one aimed at parents to help them reintroduce free play to kids.
How will youth sports return to play? USOPC offers first glimpse
Medical expert: Kids need gradual return to sports after COVID-19
What do kids need from coaches during and after the pandemic? That’s the question every coach should be asking. On April 22, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play hosted our third webinar, this one aimed at assisting coaches to help kids stay physically and emotionally healthy.