It can be frustrating when your once-enthusiastic child suddenly turns warm. You've already scheduled games for the next few months and bought expensive equipment - and perhaps most importantly, you want your child to learn to commit and follow through, at least until the end of the season.
As a parent, it is always important to find the right methods to encourage children to do things that are good for them. For some kids, an NFL wall decal is all they need to get their hands on a Paul Wee football. Others may respond better to an inspiring sports movie that helps them understand why people love the game.
However you choose to encourage your children, it should be gentle and geared toward personal growth. The methods we will discuss here are five ways to do this.
Show your kids athletes at all levels of the game.
One of the best things about sports is the number of different ways there are to enjoy it. You can watch the professionals play at the highest levels, you can compete in local leagues or you can enjoy a game of pick-up in the park.
Whenever possible, show your kids people who play and enjoy sports at every level! Professional games are great, of course - there's nothing like a trip to a ball game with your kids. But seeing other levels, such as minor league matches and league titles, helps kids understand that sports can be a lifelong passion even when you're not a professional, like most people.
This can be a great help in relieving the stress that some children feel when playing sports. It helps get the message across that the vast majority of people don't play to be professional athletes. Instead, they play because it's a fun way to get some exercise, push yourself and join the community.
- Find out what your child likes about sports and nurture it.
People approach sports with many different mindsets, and most people play for more than one reason. Some like to push themselves in the competition; Some like the physical and adrenaline rush of exercise. Many people like to be outside and/or do something as part of a team.
The key to motivating your child is to find which of these reasons leads and encourages them to do so. Ultra-competitive kids may want to take extra lessons or work toward the goal of playing in a more challenging league. Kids who like to play sports but don't like the pressures of competition may do better in kids' fitness classes or low-pressure indoor teams.
- Help your child choose the right sport.
Ideally, before your child joins a team, you can talk to them about their expectations and how they fit in with the nature of the game. For example, baseball may not be a great choice for kids with very high energy levels who always need movement.
Many children will want to change sports from year to year, and this does not discourage them. Every child should have the opportunity to try a variety of sports hobbies and pursue the ones that suit them best. Forcing a child to stick to a sport when he wants to play something else does not help him develop healthy habits. It just makes them miserable.
Finally, don't forget about sports outside the traditional team sports model. Some children may enjoy sports such as swimming, hiking, or weightlifting more. These can be especially helpful for introverted or anxious children who don't particularly enjoy competition or large groups of people.
Help your child find an athletic role model.
It is often easier to attract a child to games and practices if he has an athletic personality he likes. When you watch sports together, write down the players your child seems to like, and encourage them to follow their progress. If they really start investing in a player or team, a few MLB wall decals with their favorite players or peel and stick wallpaper for kids with their favorite teams can keep the energy going even when it's not game day.
Of course, it is also important to think about players who are good role models for your child. It's not uncommon for even previously hard-hitting athletes to fall into bad behavior, so use it as an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart conversation if it does. Avoid putting anyone on a pedestal and communicate candidly about how all humans make mistakes, even famous athletes.
Another easy way to give kids a good fitness model? Be one yourself! When kids see you incorporate fitness into your daily routine, such as joining a league or even just going for a run every day, they will understand it as part of a healthy and rewarding lifestyle.
- Connect with a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is an important concept for both sports and life in general. It basically means emphasizing effort and personal growth rather than results like winning or losing. For someone with a growing mindset, a mistake on the field is an opportunity to learn, not shameful evidence of being a bad player.
When young athletes have a fixed mindset rather than a growth mindset, they often put themselves under pressure that prevents them from enjoying the game. This is why it is important for any parent who wants to motivate their child in sports to guide them in the direction of adopting a growth mindset.
If you find yourself reluctant to encourage this type of thinking, ask yourself why. Do you have unrealistic expectations for your child's performance in sports? Are you more interested in whether they win than if they are having fun? It is always helpful to do a little soul-searching when it comes to the ways you choose to motivate your children.