Fostering Non-Cognitive Abilities Through Love for Sports in Children

Recent studies conducted by LEIFRAS Co., Ltd., a company based in Shibuya, Tokyo, which operates children's sports schools and supports local sports activities, reveal that a child's fondness for sports plays a critical role in enhancing their non-cognitive abilities, which are essential for personal development. Utilizing the 'Mirabo' non-cognitive ability measurement system, the analysis focused on 126 children, linking their sports preferences to various personal skills.

Key Findings from the Analysis

1. Correlation Between Sports Enjoyment and Non-Cognitive Skills
The data indicated a significant positive correlation (r = 0.34) between children’s enjoyment of sports and their overall non-cognitive skill scores. When compared to physical fitness test results (r = 0.21), it became clear that a child’s subjective enjoyment of sports has a stronger connection with the development of non-cognitive abilities than mere physical capabilities.

2. Impact on Five Key Non-Cognitive Skills
The study demonstrated that a positive attitude towards sports positively impacts all five components defining non-cognitive abilities, namely greeting and manners, leadership, cooperativeness, self-management, and problem-solving skills. Particularly, children who enjoy sports exhibited higher tendencies toward self-management and problem-solving abilities.

3. Strong Influence on Specific Areas: Self-management and Problem-solving
Notably, the analysis revealed a remarkable correlation between sports enjoyment and self-management (r = 0.39) and problem-solving skills (r = 0.29). This suggests that a positive attitude towards sports is closely tied to a child's ability to regulate emotions and tackle challenges.

4. Foundation of Non-Cognitive Abilities Through Enjoyment
These results emphasize the importance of having a positive view towards sports as a crucial factor in maintaining a high level of non-cognitive abilities, surpassing mere athletic skills.

Connection to LEIFRAS’s Instructional Philosophy

The findings underline how LEIFRAS’s instructional approach supports the growth of children:

- The analysis targeted a general sample of schoolchildren rather than specific sports school members, ensuring the research's validity and relevance.
- Since its inception, LEIFRAS has prioritized the cultivation of non-cognitive skills over a win-at-all-costs mentality in sports training. The company emphasizes nurturing sports enjoyment while eliminating elements that can make children dislike sports, such as punishment or negative comments.
- Moving forward, LEIFRAS intends to continue fostering an environment that encourages children to love sports and thus enhances their non-cognitive abilities.

About the Mirabo Measurement System

The 'Mirabo' system, developed in collaboration with experts in sports psychology, represents LEIFRAS's efforts to quantify non-cognitive abilities which were previously assessed subjectively. This tool evaluates children on five essential traits—greeting and manners, leadership, cooperativeness, self-management, and problem-solving. By understanding children's current standing in these areas, LEIFRAS can set meaningful goals and guidance strategies for further development.

Future Prospects

LEIFRAS aims to enhance the visual representation of data through the 'Mirabo' system, improving educational quality. The recent study sets a precedent for analyzing how positive attitudes towards sports relate deeply to both non-cognitive skills and physical capabilities. Future research will explore how non-cognitive abilities evolve over time through in-depth longitudinal studies to identify key influencing factors.

About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

Founded in August 2001, LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. operates under the motto: "Changing and Designing Sports." The company is committed to resolving societal issues through the medium of sports and serves around 70,000 members in its children's sports school business. Through its various initiatives, including support in club activities and healthcare projects, LEIFRAS continues to contribute to society through sports.