How to Help Kids Succeed in Competitive Sports
There are many benefits that children can gain from organized activities and athletic programs. Among them are the acquisition of new or the improvement of existing skills and talents. Parents and guardians will find it easiest to locate programs for their children by "word of mouth" references from other parents and neighbors or associates that they know through work, places of worship, or their local community recreation centers. If there are other children in your extended family who live nearby, like cousins of similar age to your child, ask their parents if they can give you a recommendation for any organizations that they may be familiar with. Children also will have the opportunity to develop their self-esteem, make new social contacts, and learn how to cooperate with others while working toward a common goal.
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Instructions
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Look for organizations that are open to children in your child's age group. Begin first with extracurricular groups at your child's school. Doing this will ensure that there will be an excellent chance that your child may already know some of the participants, and will acclimate more quickly to the new environment.
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Allow your child to shop around. Rather than arbitrarily selecting the activity yourself, try to expose your child to a variety of activities to see which one he enjoys most. If your child likes soccer, take him to a match to watch a junior league team. After the game, arrange to meet the coach and find out about tryouts for the next season. The same approach can be taken with any physical sport or other activity. Spend one day each weekend checking out new potential activities with your child and make him a part of the selection process.
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Keep your child's schedule light. Remember not to enroll your children in so many programs that they become stressed, or have little time for unstructured recreation. Even children need an occasional break in order to relax. Aim for no more than two extracurricular activities per academic year, providing that your child's grades do not suffer. If your child is overextended and not having fun, reduce her after-school load. If an activity is not as enjoyable for your child as anticipated, try a new activity.
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Permit your child to develop at her own pace in the activity. As long as your child is doing her best, you should avoid comparing your child's ability with that of others on the team. If your child performs well enough to actively contribute to the group, her efforts should be encouraged.
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Discuss privately with the coach or instructor any special needs or concerns that your child may have such as allergies, emotional issues, impairments or injuries. Make sure that the environment will be supportive and safe. Prior to signing up your child, watch some practices and events. Consider your child's temperament and the coach's instructional style to see if they will harmonize. Most important, stay involved after your child becomes a member of the group.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to emphasize fun over conquest in competitive sports, especially for the very young. Learn to ask, "Did you enjoy yourself?" before asking, "Did you win?" Young people will become more able to deal with life's disappointments if they know that you are proud of how well they played, even if they don't win every game. Let your child decide when it's time to stop an activity. Forced participation rarely ends well. Any activity chosen for your child should be a fun and positive experience. If at any time you have concerns regarding an instructor or coach, or sense that something may be wrong, don't hastily dismiss your feelings. Your primary concern should always be to keep your children safe. Look into the situation, and be prepared to act in your child's best interest whenever necessary.
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