JUDO INclusion Helps Create “I Can Do This” Attitude in Children with Developmental Issues and Makes them Happier

Judo club Rijeka – photographs present the start of initial training sessions of the ‘JUDO INclusion’ project, which is being implemented in Rijeka. The judo coach Sandra Uršičić, in a professional manner and with great tenderness, works with the children with developmental issues.  She will first teach them to tie the judo belt, get warmed up, and show them that the belt itself is useful for physical activity, but games as well. The children will soon practice their first judo grips and meet their peers from the judo club Rijeka, within a joint training session.

Benefits of the project “JUDO INclusion“ – ACTIVE AND HEALTHY – RIJEKA, financed by the European Social Fund (UP.02.1.1.08.0010) is great for any child that feels “differently“. Children with developmental difficulties (TUR) are more limited in their participation in sport activities than their peers, while the gap increases with growing up. This is exactly why the “JUDO INclusion“ project was initiated. A child with developmental issues experiences difficulties in socialisation too, and finds it hard to hang out with other children because they feel different, which has the end result of isolation and exclusion from the environment. Children with these issues face the challenge on a daily basis, i.e., the list of things they cannot do – just like their parents. They will have less problems if we encourage them to focus on what they can do, not on what they cannot do.

“JUDO INclusion“ activities build the attitude of “I can do this” in children with special needs, instead of “I cannot do this.” Each day, judo will help them feel safer and more independent. And happier, which is most important. Social inclusion through judo is exceptionally useful for children with special needs, because it enables them to be socially and physically active.