How to Encourage Children to be Involved in Sports

Encouraging your child to try sports may seem daunting, but can prove rewarding.

A child's health ranks as one of the foremost concerns for a parent. One way to promote the health of your child is through physical activities like sports. Having your children involved in sports can also help them form bonds with other children, gain a sense of accomplishment in their victories and understand the value of good sportsmanship. Unfortunately, convincing your child to participate in sports can pose a problem.

Instructions

1. Play some sports with your child. Go to your backyard or the park to play games like football or catch. Teach him that sports can be enjoyable before you push the subject of joining an organized sports team.

2. Avoid pressuring or insulting your children until they relent and join a sport. Tell them the benefits of athletics as opposed to threatening them if they do not participate in sports. This may only make your children more determined to avoid athletics instead of encouraging them.

3. Visit your local community center or YMCA when they are offering sports workshops. This gives you and your children an opportunity to experience a broad range of different sports. Talk with your children after you sample the workshops to see if they enjoyed any particular activity.

4. Speak with the parents of your children's friends. Ask them if their children participate in any sports. If you mention their involvement, your children might be more likely to join the sports themselves. Knowing that a friend will be with them while they play will greatly boost their confidence.

5. Speak with your child about the health benefits of sports. Some children, especially when they reach the teen years, care about their physical health and appearance. If you speak frankly about the health benefits, your child may listen.

6. Mention the increased chances of getting financial aid in college to your children. Extracurricular activities like sports make a college applicant stand out from the crowd. Children usually start caring about their college choices when they reach high school, but you can always supply the information earlier in the children's life.

7. Share some of your own sporting experiences with your children. Tell them about the good times you had and some of the friends you made.

References

• Disney Family: Encouraging Your Child To Play Sports
• Disney Family: Expert Q&A