Theoretical And Methodological Aspects Of Sport Preparation Of Selected Children And Young Athletes

Sport is an integral part of the educational process implemented on the level of pre-primary education (ISCED 0) and integrated basic education (ISCED 1 and 2). The children in primary schools (ISCED 1: grades 1-4, ISCED 2: grades 5-8) have the opportunity to partake in highquality extracurricular sport activities organised in school sports clubs. Sport activities implemented in the course of basic education are instrumental in the development of physical abilities and acquisition of motor skills that are important for systematic sports training, as well as recreational, leisure time activities later in life. School sports clubs are organised forms of activity targeting a wide base of children, among which, only a few meet the criteria for becoming top athletes. Sport has a significant impact on the psychosomatic development of children and youth, i.e. the development of the abilities, characteristics and motor skills applicable throughout one's life. Aside from improving the child's motor and functional abilities and facilitating the acquisition of important motor skills, sport also holds valuable developmental, educational, preventive, socially-protective and rehabilitative potential. The development of habits related to regular physical activity in the childhood within the educational system constitutes a major impetus for the development of a healthy and active lifestyle in the future.