Healthy + Happy #13: Norway for the win
Flashback to the last two Winter Olympics (2018, 2022). Norway, a country with just 5.5 million people, took home more medals than any other nation. What’s their Scandinavian secret? Yes, Norwegians are more familiar than most with long, cold winters, but another answer may lie in their vision: “joy of sport — for all.”
The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee bases their philosophy on a simple idea: everyone should participate. The result? About 90 percent of Norway’s 12-and-under population participates in sports (compared to 56 percent of U.S. children, aged 6-17).
In 2007, Norway created “Children’s Rights in Sport,” a document that guarantees every child access to athletic opportunities based on tenants like:
Competitions for everyone. “Children have the right to choose whether or not they would like to participate in competitions, and be granted equal opportunities to participate.” Norway aims to build citizens, not athletes, focusing on inclusion, self-efficacy and the well-being of children (compared to the often hyper-competitive approach in the U.S.). Until the age of 12, sports focus on childhood development — kids are encouraged to sample sports, and games are not scored. At 12, kids choose an athletic path: competitive or recreational.
Children’s needs. “Children have the right to participate in training and competitive activities adapted to their age, physical development and level of maturity.” The emphasis falls on the needs of children, not parents or coaches. In fact, there are 19 rules of conduct for parents who volunteer in community sports (which is also common practice for Norwegians, called dugnad).
Freedom to choose. “Children have the right to choose which sport, or how many sports, they would like to participate in — and decide for themselves how much they would like to train.” What this looks like: equal opportunities for all and financial assistance to make sports accessible.
Friendship and well-being. “Children have the right to participate in training and competitive activities which will facilitate development of friendship and solidarity.” A sense of well-being facilitates learning, and learning facilitates a sense of well-being. The team is elevated above the individual — increasing the importance of every child’s contribution, regardless of ability.
Norway’s commitment to youth sports doesn’t end with words or documents: they fund more than 11,000 youth sports centers throughout the country. This conviction (and investment) appears to have paid off — not only do they win gold, but Norway ranks as one of happiest countries in the world.
In the News
School food round-up.
As food prices continue to rise with inflation, schools across the country have raised prices and limited menus.
Beginning this year, California — which just received $60 million from the state for Farm-to-School grants — will implement a Universal Meals program, becoming the first state to provide free meals to all schoolchildren. Maine has followed California’s lead.
You may know Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen — but do you know Belinda Oakley?
Sports for healing and happiness.
Children traumatized by war in Ukraine are finding relief from an unlikely source: soccer. Through these safe spaces to play, kids can work through trauma, develop friendships, and learn to smile and laugh again.
According to a new study, kids who use after-school time for sports, activities and socializing are happier and healthier than kids who go directly to screens. Childhood participation in sports is also linked to a variety of benefits like improved physical health, mental health and academic achievement.
Want your kids to reap the benefits of sports? Here are some ideas for nurturing a love of sport and exercise from a young age and Parent Checklists (from the experts at Project Play) to help keep you on track along the way.
Don’t forget to check yourselves, parents and coaches. Because Kids Have Had Enough.
Events, Happenings and Opportunities
On Wednesday, September 7 at 10 a.m. CT, the Chef Ann Foundation is hosting a free, 45-minute webinar about “Get Schools Cooking,” their initiative to enable districts to strategically develop their school food operations and serve students healthy, scratch cooked meals. Register here. Get Schools Cooking Grant application period closes September 30th.
Whole Kids Foundation grant opportunities:
Bee grants: K-12 schools or non-profit organizations that serve any grades K-12 to start a new or enhance an existing bee program hosting live bees on their campus. Grants period opens September 1, 2022.
Salad Bar Grants: Open year round.
Have other national events or grant opportunities you'd like us to highlight? Let us know.
We hope you enjoyed Healthy + Happy. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or thoughts.