Prince Archie, the six-year-old son of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, is turning into an athletic prodigy. He’s not just growing professionally, but personally too during his time in California. Recently, his mother shared a social media post featuring him proudly wearing a jersey from his local football school, emphasizing his interest in team sports.
Football has been one of Prince Archie’s important interests, along with surfing. His surfing lessons are especially impressive, as they offer him a variety of chances to learn independence and fully face personal adversity. Childhood development experts argue that individual sports, such as surfing, can help develop independence and delayed gratification in children.
“Surfing can help children develop independence, patience, and self-motivation.” – Dr. Amanda Gummer
Rather than speak from her own experiences, as Meghan Markle has done sharing her own story of traversing school life. Back at Little Red, she found herself unable to connect socially. She would experience the same resistance later in her career at Immaculate Heart High School here in Los Angeles. Looking back on her experience, she once told us how critical parent engagement in schools can be.
“I was always a little bit of a loner and really shy and didn’t know where I fit in,” – Meghan Markle
Now, as an ardent advocate for parenting, Markle is preparing to pass that knowledge on to Prince Archie. In this scenario, she can prompt him to sign up for clubs and after school activities and other events to help foster social interaction and friendships. Collective action through team sports, such as football, helps emotional and social development specifically.
“Team sports like football can play a pivotal role in a child’s emotional and social development,” – Laura Gwilt
Markle’s model highlights the importance of bringing together individual and group processes. As she’s written previously, having a variety of interests is key to social development. She remembers being heavily involved in school efforts.
“I was like ‘OK, then I’ll become the president of the Multicultural Club and the president of sophomore class and the president of this, and the French Club,” – Meghan Markle
Prince Archie’s love of both football and surfing embodies a balanced approach to childhood. His parents’ active lifestyles influence him. With a deep-rooted affinity for the ocean and surfing, Prince Harry’s Invictus Games fosters a sense of adventure.
