Vol. 1 No. 1, February 2022

Early Childhood Education: An Approach to Sustainability of Sports and Christian Values

Odebowale, Ireti Tina (PhD) & Moronfolu, Anthonia Olusola

Abstract

The early years of a child’s life are crucial and highly significant to the overall development of the child. However, physical activity is a significant component in Early Childhood Education. Most Early Childhood Education programmes revolve round physical activities. Physical activities promote physical development and social skills of children; it is also important in the mental and cognitive development of children. Directly related to social skills development in children are Christian values which are the core values taught to Christians in the Bible. These values shape Christians into the type of people that God wants them to be. The values are also taught in schools and children are encouraged to put what they have learnt into practice. Subsequently, Sports can be used as a platform for teaching these values at Early Childhood Education in Christian schools and care centres, using the position that views the Creator God as the source of truth, beauty, wisdom and life. The belief of Christian educators that God made humans in His image can be used as a basis in helping children imbibe His nature which includes these characteristics- creativity, morality, a capacity for spirituality, met cognition, and self-actualization. Religious practices such as prayers, devotions before games and thanksgiving after winning can be used to help coaches and athletes deal with stressful situations in professional, collegiate, interscholastic and youth sports. Lastly, the teaching of Christian values at tender age using sport will help to curb lots of societal ills the world is battling with presently.

Keywords

Christian-values, early-childhood, education, sports, religion

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