Edu-Skate explained

Theory:

Edu-skate is based on the Self-Determination Theory, which states that humans have 3 basic psychological needs to satisfy for psychological well-being and personal development: competence, relatedness and autonomy. Not only does the extensive body of research on this theory show its utility in a number of different life-domains (such as education, work and physical activity), but furthermore, research suggests that these basic psychological needs are universal rather than depending on the culture you grow up in. Edu-Skate makes the link between the practice of skateboarding and satisfying these basic psychological needs, as skateboarding serves as a platform to address all three of them: we believe skateboarding’s hallmarks are:

• Competence: becoming skillful at something, being effective in what you do. Unlike many other physical activities, skateboarding is constantly focused on trying, learning and mastering new skills.
• Relatedness: a feeling of belonging and connection to others. Even though it's an individual activity, skateboarding is also a social activity. You skate together with friends or people you don't even know: you share skatable spaces, which causes the inclusive character of it and enables social interaction, friendships and communities to form. Skateboarding has also been a place where many people find connection that don't feel like they belong anywhere else. Probably because of point 3.
• Autonomy: making your own choices. Since there are countless different tricks to be done, it is up to you what you want to learn and how you want to skate: skateboarding brings the freedom to do what you want and to express yourself.

Target group:

The Edu-skate programme was developed in response to the global phenomenon of children growing up in underserved and disadvantaged circumstances, often leaving them with a scarcity of opportunities to explore and develop their personal potential.
The programme is accessible to anyone between the ages of 6-16 in the communities around our skatparks. We also work together with organisations that serve children with a severe lack of recreational activities like orphanages.

Benefits:

Edu-Skate’s aim is to stimulate positive personal development through fostering life-skills. The programme provides a safe environment for children to socialise, learn and grow as a person. Besides learning how to skateboard, the beneficiaries of the programme are exposed to different practical and psychological tools that help them in their development in life, and in how to relate to others in a positive manner.