Fostering Growth, Confidence and Success for Black and Brown Youth
Please see below for links to a wealth of resources from Return to Play Fund Expert Advisory Council members and other trusted sources to help parents/guardians, young people, coaches and youth sport providers navigate a healthy and equitable return to play. Click on each of the titles below to access.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, GUARDIANS & CAREGIVERS
Promoting Active Youth
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, youth aged 6 – 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day to attain the most health benefits from physical activity. Most activity can be aerobic, like walking, running, or anything that makes the heart beat faster. They also need activities that make their muscles and bones strong, like climbing on playground equipment, playing a sport or jumping rope.
- Nationally recommended guidelines on physical activity:
These three 10-point checklists include questions you can ask your child, yourself and local program administrators when considering how to build an athlete for life. The lists and accompanying videos are tailored by age and activity level
- Fun At Bat At Home
The #FABAtHome instructional video series teaches basic bat-and-ball activities that can be done at home with minimal equipment. Activities emphasize character development, functional movement, active play and fun and are supported by Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and industry professionals - Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation + Science of Sport: The Science of Baseball
Fun, baseball activities that kids and parents can do together at home while also learning valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills
- Move Your Way® (ODPHP)
Use this Interactive tool to find ways to fit more activity into kids’ daily livesWatch these videos to promote physical activity/sport at home:
Tips to get active as a family
Tips for getting active indoors - NRPA Youth Sports: When Kids Play Sports, We All Win
- OPEN Online Physical Education Network
A downloadable list of games and calendars for families to create an active home. It also includes resources to help teachers and parents work together - Video: What Good Looks Like in Youth Sports (to Kids)
During the 2015 Aspen Project Play Summit, Olympic champion sprinter Allyson Felix led a conversation with young athletes on what kids want out of a sports experience - Video: Ask Kids What They Want: What if Youth Designed Youth Sports?
During the 2018 Aspen Project Play Summit, NBA legend Kobe Bryant spoke to four young athletes in a conversation that brings out the life skills that kids learn through playing sport
Promoting Diversity & Inclusion
- LGBTQ+ Athletics & Education Teen Toolkit
- RISE Glossary
Comprehensive listing of race-related terms and concepts to support a shared understanding and foster discussion - Women’s Sports Foundation Go Girl Go! Parents’ Guide
Promoting Health & Wellbeing
- Aspen Institute + Hospital for Special Surgery | Healthy Sport Index
Use this tool to find the best sport for you relative to a sport’s benefits and risks of participation. Learn about each sport and customize the index by adjusting the dial based on individual health criteria - Doc Wayne:
Caregiver and Youth Therapeutic Games
Tips for Caregivers – Addressing Global Tragedies - Video: How trauma disproportionally affects mental health in young people of color
Good Morning America interview with Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, founder of the AAKOMA Project
RESOURCES FOR YOUTH
Promoting Active Lifestyles
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, young people aged 6 – 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day. Most activity can be aerobic, like walking, running, or anything that makes the heart beat faster. But you also need activities that make their muscles and bones strong, like climbing on playground equipment, playing a sport or jumping rope.
- Aerobic Exercises for Teenagers
Explanation of aerobic exercise and how to build it into your life from WebMD
- GoNoodle Games App (iOS & Android)
A selection of free mini-games with no controller, data connection or extra hardware required - GoNoodle Sports & Teamwork Videos
Exercises for 4- to 10-year-olds to move, work and play together while also learning about personal and community wellness, mental and physical health - Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation + Science of Sport – The Science of Baseball
Fun, baseball activities that kids and parents can do together at home while also learning valuable STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills - Women’s Sports Foundation – A Look Inside: Ages 11 to 13 Journal
This GoGirls journal is a great way for girls to log goals and track their activities
Promoting Diversity & Inclusion
- GLSEN Changing the Game
Game plan for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies
- RISE Activity Modules
Perspective Taking
Racism 101 - Special Olympics Fit 5 Fitness Series
Guides and workout videos for people with intellectual disabilities
Promoting Health & Wellbeing
- Aspen Institute + Hospital for Special Surgery – Healthy Sport Index
Use this tool to find the best sport for you relative to a sport’s benefits and risks of participation. Learn about each sport and customize the index by adjusting the dial based on individual health criteria - Doc Wayne:
Champion Language for Kids During Covid
Mental Health Tips For Kids
Youth & Caregiver Therapeutic Games - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?
- Nemours Teens Health:
Food & Fitness
Motivation & the Power of Not Giving Up
RESOURCES FOR COACHES & YOUTH SPORT PROVIDERS
Promoting Active Youth
- Aspen Institute Project Play – How to Develop Kids as Athletes and People
- Good Sports – Equipment Donations for Organizations
Youth sport organizations serving kids 3 to 18 in high-need communities may apply to receive brand-new equipment, apparel and footwear. The application has a rolling deadline. Email [email protected] with any questions
Promoting Diversity & Inclusion
- Aspen Institute Project Play – Resources to Support Minority Athletes (scroll down on page)
- Athlete Ally – 5 Ways Coaches Can Be Allies For LGBTQ Athletes
- CHJS + NIKE – Made to Play Coaching Girls Guide
- GLSEN Game Plan for Coaches
Creating safe and inclusive teams for LGBTQ+ athletes - Hijabi Ballers Working With Muslim Female Athletes
- How to Coach Girls
Co-created by the United States Olympic Committee and Nike and inspired by Aspen Institute Project Play - LGBTQ+ Athletics & Education Teen Toolkit
- NASPE – Coaching Athletes with Hidden Disabilities
- NIKE – Made to Play Coaching for Belonging Playbook
Stories, expertise and advice on inclusive practices, including from the Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport (CHJS) - NRPA – Equity Language Guide
This guide can help those in the field of parks and recreation use consistent and appropriate terms related to diversity, equity, inclusion, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ability and more - Positive Coaching Alliance Development Zone
A collection of webinars, sport movie discussion guides, Roundtables, Live Sessions and more from various sources addressing Overcoming Racism in Sports - Return on Inclusion
Sport-specific diversity, inclusion and belonging online learning platform for athletic professionals to build cultural competence & develop inclusive leadership skills - RISE Activity Modules:
Inclusion, Exclusion & Racism – In or Out?
Understanding our Identities
Exploring labels, how our identities are constructed and ways diversity can be valuable - Women’s Sports Foundation:
Tips to Get A Girl Active
We Play Interactive
Promoting Health & Wellbeing
- AAKOMA Project:
State of Mental Health for Youth of Color 2022
Supporting Black Students’ Wellness Amid Mounting Challenges (with Teach For America)
Video: Mental Health and Safety of Athletes – Moorad Sports Law Symposium (Villanova University) - Aspen Institute Project Play:
Call for Coaches: Guidebook on Coaching Social and Emotional Skills in Youth Sports
Redefining Winning in Youth Coaching
Social and Emotional Coaching Video Series - Center for Healing & Justice Through Sport (CHJS):
What is Healing Centered Sport?
Implementing Healing Centered Sport - Global Sports Matters:
COVID has spurred a youth mental health crisis. Here’s how coaches can help. - Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation ft Doctor Grant (2020):
Courageous Conversations: Talking to Children about Racism video
RESOURCES TO LOCATE ACTIVITIES / PROGRAMS / RECREATIONAL SPACES
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America Club Finder
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America serve small towns, large metropolitan areas, public housing communities and Native populations, as well as those living on US military installations worldwide
A listing of their nationally recognized in person and virtual programs for kids and teens of all ages and interests is also available
- NYSS Champions Directory
Use this directory to find social impact focused programs and organizations searchable by state and population focus. The National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion is an initiative of the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
RESOURCES TO BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE
- AAKOMA Project – Community Mental Health Engagement with Racially Diverse Populations
- Andscape – Sports
Black-focused media platform exploring the intersections of race, sports and culture operated by ESPN - Aspen Institute Project Play:
Youth Sports Playbook
The Benefits of Youth Sports
Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports - Beyond Sport + Play Equity Fund:
Mapping Sport’s Role in Reducing Racial Inequality in the U.S. - CDC – Obesity, Race/Ethnicity and COVID-19
- CHJS – Why Trauma Informed Sport is Vital
- Global Sport Matters – Sport Gives Girls the Space to Define Themselves
- Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine:
Re-envisioning Postpandemic Youth Sport to Meet Young People’s Needs - Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation + USC College Playbook
Information, resources and links for students and families to better navigate preparing for and succeeding in college - National Institute for Play – Champion Parent Note
Details the science behind play and why it is important for kids - NPS – American Latino Theme Study: Sports
- NRPA:
Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation
Youth Sports Survey Report - Women’s Sports Foundation – Her Life Depends On It
Report reviewing existing and emerging research on the links between participation in sport and physical activity and the health and wellbeing of American girls and women - Women’s Sports Foundation + The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation – Keeping Girls in the Game
National survey on factors that influence sports participation