Encouraging your child to work hard and perform at their best is a balancing act.To help your child focus and practice enough to do well, you need to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and use constant positive reinforcement.Don't put too much pressure on them to do well, but show them the value of hard work and healthy competition.You should remind them that you are proud of them even if they don't do well or win.
Step 1: Understand your child and have meaningful conversations.
It's important to know how your child thinks and feels.It is important to know their strengths, weaknesses, habits, and desires in order to motivate them to practice a sport or do homework.You want to take the time to listen to how your child feels, and that you respect how they think and what they want.Ask them what sports they want to play and what expectations they have.Try to understand what they want from the activity.Your reaction should be positive if your child says, "I want to be the best basketball player that ever played the game."It is best not to tell them their goals are impossible, but to emphasize how hard they work is a good thing.Tell them that the effort they put in and the fun they have while doing so is priceless.
Step 2: Understand the challenges and stresses of sports.
When starting a sport or joining a new team, there are unique social pressures.While some children enjoy being part of a team, having to do an activity in front of people can be daunting or embarrassing for others.A child can become their own worst critic in sports if they think that their performance will determine what their parents think of them.Getting to know your child will help you understand if they are more comfortable with team or individual activities.Understanding the pressures associated with each can help you turn them into positives.If your child is afraid of looking bad at something in front of their team, encourage them to work hard and practice to master that skill or ability.Whether the pressure involves impressive teammates or beating their own best time, challenge them to perform to their best ability, but remind them that sometimes you can work hard at something for a long time and still not master it.
Step 3: Being physically active is a positive role model.
Being physically active yourself is the best way to encourage your child to be active.Everyone, from kids to adults, has to keep doing the same thing in order to become successful.Explain how every muscle and skill needs to be exercised.
Step 4: Your child plays a sport or is interested in it.
You do not need to be a pro in order to help them develop their skills.Whenever you can, practice together.It's a good idea to practice on the weekends or schedule a few times during the week.You can see games together.You can find professional, college, high school, or whatever level of competition in your town.
Step 5: Encourage your child to play sports.
It's best to let your child try out a number of different activities, even into their teenage years, because some coaches prefer that kids specialize in a sport early.Sampling a variety will help them get to know themselves, what they like, and what their best abilities are.Trying out different sports is a great way to find out what they are good at, as well as being healthier and less prone to injury.You can check in with your child to see if they still enjoy the sport.Ask questions like, "How's basketball going?"Are you still having fun at the games?Are you still a fan of your teammates and coach?If your child doesn't like the sport anymore, you might want to try something new after the season is over.If your child doesn't like the sport, make sure to express your acceptance.You could say, "That's okay."I don't like some sports.You'll find it!
Step 6: Try not to put too much pressure on it.
It is great to encourage your child to play a lot of sports, but it is important to remain balanced.Keep an eye on the amount of time they spend practicing and how much energy they put into one thing.Quality time with family and friends is just as important as practicing for a big game.Help your child balance their schedule and divide their time so that they don't get injured or lose interest in an activity if they practice too hard.Don't put too much pressure on your child to practice.Keep them engaged with positive motivation, by setting a good example, practicing with them, and being a great cheerleader, but don't treat any activity as a life or death situation.Don't treat practice like a chore.
Step 7: The same language should be used after a win or a loss.
It is a good thing to be happy if your child scores a goal.Before and after a game, there are certain things you should always say.Tell your child to have fun, play hard, and I love them, before and after the game.If your child won or lost, emphasize their effort.You could say, "You did a great job of supporting your teammates out there today."I am very proud of how you played the game.When your child experiences a loss, try to make them feel better.You could say, "I know it's disappointing not to win, but your passing was great!"I can see your improvement because you've worked so hard.
Step 8: Your child should be prepared for losing or being cut from the team.
Even if your child works hard at something, they will face obstacles in any sport, no matter how hard they work.It is okay that today wasn't your child's day if you remind them that everyone has their time to shine.Try to keep your child interested in a sport if they don't make a team.Continue to practice with them, look for an instructional or less competitive league, find a sports camp, and encourage them to try out next year.Not making a team doesn't define who they are or how proud you are of them just for trying, so remind them to keep things in perspective.
Step 9: Don't be the coach after a loss.
Being critical and breaking down where the game went wrong is not helpful.Instead, focus on what your child did correctly, what skills you noticed while they were on the field, and on any fun moments you notice.Positive aspects of the game will help motivate your child to give it their all again, regardless of whether they win or lose.Your child has a coach whether it is an individual or a team sport.They should be critical and give tough talk.Making the loss easier to handle is something your child will need you to do.Kids often don't know how to separate a negative event from their identity.Give them affection and attention, and make sure they know how proud you are of them.It is best not to let your child be alone after a loss.Too much alone time might cause them to dwell, if you are silent.
Step 10: You should be the team's biggest fan.
Cheerleaders are needed for the entire team when attending a sporting event.The coach should not encourage negative competition among the players.You don't want to make your child or other kids think it's okay to treat each other in a disrespectful way.If another child scores a goal or makes a great play, cheer for them just as you would your own child.To create a strong community and family atmosphere, try to communicate with other parents about being a great support system for all the kids on the team.
Step 11: Tell your child that competition is good.
If you know what healthy competition is, you can encourage your child to do their best.Explain to them that they should always try to exceed their personal best and challenge themselves.Do not focus on doing better than other kids, but on reaching your own potential.Don't define success on winning and losing alone when you encourage your child to compete.The emphasis should be on acquiring and developing skills.Show respect for the different stages of a child's development.Kids of different ages and abilities should not be compared.
Step 12: Competition can help build your child's self-esteem and social skills.
Sports are for having fun, developing self-esteem, social skills, and a sense of community.Encourage your child to be competitive, but not for the sake of winning alone.Help them to set and define goals so that they can take pride in their accomplishments and develop their sense of self.It is wrong to use competitiveness or being great at something as a means of putting others down.Tell them how important it is to help another person with a particular task once you have mastered it.Give them an example of how you got good at something, and then share it with another person.