With programs like basketball drills for 10 year olds, kids these days are lucky to have such activities readily available to them. But unless they are interested in joining, they won’t receive the benefits of sports and physical activities. So how do you encourage them to get into sports without making it a constant battle?
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Get an Early Start
- Expose them to a variety of sports and activities as soon as possible. Pick fun, age-appropriate activities they will enjoy.
- Get them into programs that aim at developing specific skills, like motor and coordination. Soccer or t-ball are two options that will introduce them to sports while ensuring they have fun while learning.
- Supplement their activities with sports-related stuff that can be done at home. Have them watch tournaments and events on free sports streaming sites, such as WatchESPN and Hotstar.
- Make it a family affair so that everyone gets to share the love and joy of sports. Have your kids share their thoughts and ideas about the shows they watched.
Set a Time for Exploration
Certain sports appeal to certain individuals, which is why it’s important for your child to explore a variety of options at a young age.
- Attend local sporting events with them in tow and get their opinion of what they’ve seen and enjoyed.
- Schedule time to play different games in your own backyard as a way to introduce them to different sports.
- Instead of a specific sport, get them started with multi-sports camps. Their exposure to various sports will help them identify a specific event that better resonates with their personality and preferences.
- As for older children, have them join recreational programs that don’t require tryouts. Tryouts tend to discourage some children, thinking they are inadequate and may not make the team.
Put the Focus on Fun
The more fun a child has, the more likely they are to look forward to engaging in the same activity or sport. While competition and being competitive are important, they should not be the focus when introducing children to sports.
- According to experts, children below eight years old are not yet fully developed to handle the stress of competitive sports. This is why the focus should be on fun and the fundamentals of a sport.
- Opt for recreational programs that help them learn life skills and stay physically active.
- Have them join group events that will develop their skills in socialising and interaction. Make sure you also have the opportunity to stay involved, as active parent participation can develop a positive mindset towards sports.
Develop the Right Mindset
Playing sports is either fun or scary, depending on a child’s perception. It’s important to instil in them the value of playing sports and physical fitness.
- Give your child the opportunity to learn, make mistakes, and correct them. Don’t pressure them to win, as this will make sports less appealing to them.
- Help your child better communicate every emotion they experience while engaging in sports. Whether they’re frustrated or happy, show them that they can tell you anything. If something happened during practice or competition that upset them, keep the conversation positive and encourage them not to give up.
- Be a role model in handling any situation during a sports event. It’s not helpful if your child sees you shouting at referees or throwing fits after a loss. This can lead to your child having a negative perception towards sports.
With the benefits that come with being physically active and playing in sports, it’s important that your kids learn to love them at an early age. Even if they don’t end up pursuing a specific sport, they get to enjoy the beauty of physical fitness. If they discover their love for basketball, Little Boomers Basketball offers a wide range of programs for children of different ages.
