U6 THEME: INDIVIDUAL PLAY

Recreation Program

CHARACTERISTICS OF U-6 PLAYERS

§ Differences between boys and girls are minimal.

§ Progress in motor development starts with the head and moves downward to the feet and from the center of the body outward.

§ Easy fatigue and rapid recovery

§ Emphasis on fundamental movement skills.

§ Increased use of all body parts.

§ Play consists of a high degree of imagination and pretend activities.

§ Tend to only one task at a time in problem solving situations.

§ Process small bits of information at a time; long sequential instructions are not processed.

§ Simple rules sonly.

§ Limited understanding of time, spatial relationships, and boundaries.

§ Beginning to develop self-concept, body awareness, and self-image through movement.

§ Egocentric – see world only from their perspective – demonstrated through parallel play. They all want the ball.

§ Need generous praise and the opportunity to play without pressure.

§ May verbalize team, but do not understand group or collective play.