How to Benefit From Kids' Sports

Kids can be either hindered or helped by sports. Parents play a large role in the outcome as well. Overzealous parents give the child a bad taste for sports, while supportive, low stress parents encourage the life-long benefits from sports. Learn how to help your child truly enjoy sports so they will enjoy them throughout their lives.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Take it easy. Start a backyard baseball team. Kids don't have to be part of a formal league to benefit from sports. Choose something easy, fun, and low stress to meet your needs. Have kids over each Thursday afternoon for a friendly baseball game. Invite the parents and have a barbecue.
2. Sign up the child for a sport she enjoys. Ask the child what looks fun and sign her up. Check the sports at the YMCA to start. These sports are generally more low key than the "club" teams. Start off slow, find the child's interests, and go from there. Choose different sports to build different inner strength for the child. Choose team sports to help the child rely on others in her life. Choose individual sports like ice skating, tennis, or track and field to help the child learn independence.
3. Participate with the child. Go to the practices and games. Cheer the children on. Bring snacks. Attend parent meetings. Volunteer to referee or register new players. Get involved in the child's life.
4. Build the child's endurance. Run along with the child to get her ready for the sport. Practice on your own with the child. Make exercise fun and incorporate other activities that build endurance. Go skating to build leg muscles. Swim to build endurance. Hike a beautiful waterfall. Do anything that will get your child ready for the sport without overdoing it.
5. Eat healthy. Learn by example. Feed your children healthier snacks and cut out high sugar drinks. Teach the child how to make the snacks and have the team join in. Benefits from sports are hindered by being too busy to eat healthily and instead grabbing fast food every night.