It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly four years since our last blog post.
In that time, life has been a whirlwind—our little ones have grown into curious, active kids (now 6 and 4), and I’ve launched a new venture that brings together two of my biggest passions: Montessori and youth athletic development.
Last year, I started Athletic Development Games, a company with a mission to transform physical activity into a joyful, skill-building journey that ignites a lifelong love for movement.
I’ve always believed in the profound impact sports can have on children, from boosting confidence and building social skills to enhancing physical and mental well-being. Yet, my own experiences with my daughters opened my eyes to some of the shortcomings in traditional youth sports programs—many of which, I realized, weren’t necessarily designed with young children’s needs in mind.
These challenges led me on a journey to find a better way.
After hours of research, I was inspired to create something truly impactful, rooted in both joy and skill-building. What surprised me most was how naturally Montessori principles fit into this vision. The values Maria Montessori advocated—respect for the child, nurturing independence and autonomy, and fostering intrinsic motivation—echoed the latest insights in athletic development research, showing how children thrive when sports are approached in a way that honors their individual growth and enjoyment.
For parents eager to introduce their kids to sports in a supportive, engaging way, here are some key Montessori principles to consider when choosing a program or coach for your child.
Montessori Principles That Carryover To Youth Sports
Fostering Independence and Autonomy
The Montessori Method emphasizes giving children choices and allowing them to drive their learning with curiosity and internal motivation. Yet, in many youth sports programs, activities are tightly structured, often leaving kids with little say in what they’re doing.
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) research backs the importance of autonomy, showing that when children feel a sense of control over their choices, they’re more engaged and motivated, leading to long-term enjoyment. Asking your child what interests them and seeking out a coach who encourages input from kids are great steps toward fostering this independence.
Emphasize the Process, Not the Outcome
In Montessori, the journey of learning is valued more than the end result. This growth mindset can transform sports experiences by focusing on effort and persistence over winning or perfection.
Try encouraging your child by acknowledging their hard work, like, “Wow, Jennifer, you’ve been practicing your dribbling so diligently!” or “That was a tough drill, but you didn’t give up—awesome job!”
Respect Each Child’s Developmental Pace
Montessori respects that each child develops at their own pace based on readiness. But in some youth sports programs, new kids are thrown into practices designed for more experienced players, which can make them feel left out or incapable.
When my daughter joined hockey for the first time, she was among many other kids who had never played before and weren’t very strong with their skating. Unfortunately, the coach had the first practice geared towards kids with more experience. This led to the new kids being unable to do many drills. It wasn’t a great experience for the new kids.
A better approach could be grouping kids by experience level or offering multiple skill levels within a single drill. Look for programs that respect individual learning speeds, with coaches who tailor activities so every child can participate meaningfully.
Embrace Play-Based Exploration
Montessori learning is playful, open-ended, and rooted in exploration rather than strict instruction. Kids are naturally drawn to learning through unstructured play, which lets them test their abilities and discover new skills organically.
Sports programs often get too rigid, focusing on drills and technique rather than free play. While structure has its place, kids also need freedom to explore movements in a way that builds joy and intrinsic motivation. Consider giving your child regular opportunities for unstructured play—setting up a space with sports equipment where they can freely experiment on their own or with friends and family.
Create a Prepared Environment
Montessori classrooms are designed to promote independence, with accessible materials and intentional layouts. For athletic development, parents and coaches can do something similar, setting up spaces with skill stations or equipment that kids can use as they like. This lets them practice independently, enter a flow state, and feel empowered in their movement journey.
Above All, Foster Joy and Passion
If you’re still with me, you likely share a belief in the lifelong benefits of sports and want your child to have a positive experience. This last point is crucial: make sure that joy is at the heart of their sports journey.
When physical activity is fun, kids are motivated to keep going, fostering healthy habits and long-term engagement. The Athletic Development Games (ADG) Method is built on two core pillars: engagement and competence. These elements create an enjoyable, effective path to youth athletic development, helping kids grow a true love for sports.
There are many ways to increase engagement and competence with young kids, but our most significant focus is sharing creative games using our PlayBoost™ Formula, which seamlessly blends fun, imagination, and creativity with just the right level of challenge to keep kids deeply engaged by transforming ordinary activities into captivating, immersive experiences.
While my ADG Coaches Course dives deeper into designing age-appropriate, enjoyable activities for young athletes, remember this takeaway: if sports coaches could design drills (or games) that are fun and allow kids to succeed with the right amount of challenge, kids would find joy in sports naturally, building confidence and passion along the way.
