For many children, participating in sports is a rite of passage. From an early age, kids can learn how to work as a team, the importance of physical activity, and what it means to put effort into something they might not be naturally good at.
While you might be prepared to be the parent of an athlete, your child might not necessarily understand everything that’s going to be asked or required of them when starting a new sport. So to help them be ready for this upcoming season, here are three ways you can help your child prepare for playing a new sport.
Get Them Physically Ready
In order for your child to be prepared for the physicality of whatever sport they’ll be participating in, they need to spend some time getting their bodies ready. According to Dr. Mary L. Gavin, a contributor to KidsHealth.org, this means getting your child in shape by having him or her run around, do some basic practice moves, and getting comfortable with how the sport is played.
In addition to this, you should also ensure that you have the right gear for your child. This should include not only the gear they need to play the sport, like shoes or pads, but also safety gear to protect them. Some of this safety gear might include a mouthguard, safety glasses, or a helmet.
Talk About Commitment To The Entire Season
Before this new sports season starts for your child, John McCormick, a contributor to the Huffington Post, recommends that you sit down with your child and talk about their commitment to their team during this season.
For some kids, sports can be very challenging, both physically and emotionally. However, if your child has decided that they want to try, it’s important that they stick by this commitment throughout the whole season. While they can choose not to play again when a new season comes, you should encourage your child to stick it out through this current season even if things get tough.
Focus On Personal Improvement
Depending on the age and temperament of your child, he or she might have a hard time if they don’t automatically excel at their chosen sport. If they find it hard to win at games or aren’t given the playing time they think they deserve, it’s easy for their confidence to falter.
What you can prepare them for as their parent is to put their focus on the right things during the season. According to Nick Holt, a contributor to ActiveForLife.com, you and your child should set goals at the start of the season related only to personal improvement and progress. By doing this, you’ll show your child that there’s more to playing sports than having a winning record.
If you have a child that’s going to be starting a new sport or a new sports season soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help prepare them for this adventure.
