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On-task distractors associated with totball baseball games: a preliminary study
Tim P Mead1, Carmen D Broussard, Gary T Rosenthal
1Department of Teacher Education, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 70310, USA.
Insights
Fewer parents on the field during youth baseball games led to better player focus. The "Parents on Bases League" showed significantly higher on-task behaviors in young children compared to having a parent with every child.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Sports Psychology
- Youth Sports Research
Background:
- Parental involvement is crucial in youth sports.
- Understanding optimal parental presence is key for child engagement.
- Previous research lacks specific data on parental proximity and on-task behaviors in toddlers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of different parental involvement strategies on children's on-task behaviors in youth baseball.
- To compare the effectiveness of limited versus extensive parental presence during T-ball games.
- To identify which parental involvement model enhances focus and participation in 3-5 year olds.
Main Methods:
- Observational study comparing two T-ball leagues (ages 3-5) in Southern Louisiana.
- Leagues: 'Parent on Bases' (limited presence) vs. 'Parent with Every Child' (extensive presence).
- On-task behaviors (correct position, watching ball) were recorded at 1-minute intervals over three dates.
Main Results:
- Children in the 'Parents on Bases' league exhibited significantly higher on-task behaviors (75.7%) compared to the 'Parent with Every Child' league (50.3%).
- Limited parental proximity correlated with increased player focus and engagement during games.
- Off-task behaviors (sitting, not watching ball) were more prevalent when parents were in close proximity to every child.
Conclusions:
- A less intrusive parental presence, such as the 'Parents on Bases' model, is more effective for maintaining children's on-task behaviors in youth baseball.
- Minimizing direct parental proximity can enhance focus and reduce distractions for young athletes.
- Findings suggest a need to re-evaluate strategies for parental involvement in early childhood sports to maximize participant engagement.
Abstract:
Two totball baseball leagues in southern Louisiana were monitored to judge what type of parental involvement yielded the highest on-task behaviors among participants. 39 children ages 3 to 5 years participated in 3- or 4-inning baseball games with parents on the field. In the Parent on Bases League, a parent stood on first, second, and third base only. In the Parent with Every Child League, a parent stood next to every child on the field. Children were observed on the field at three different dates at 1-min. intervals during the first two innings of one game in both leagues. On-task behaviors were defined as standing in the correct field position and watching the ball. Off-task behaviors consisted of sitting, rolling on the field, talking to a coach or parent, and not watching the ball. A statistically significant difference in the percent of time children spent on-task favored the Parents on Bases League (75.7) versus the other league (50.3). Having fewer parents on the field in these baseball games kept players on-task more effectively than having a parent with each child.
