Tis the season for all your kids to be on different sports teams a.k.a. the season for you to drive your kids to random parks across the state. At times your kids will vary in their excitement for playing sports, so here are a few ideas to prepare and keep them prepared for the sports season.

1. Embrace the Fear.

Playing a new sport is scary. As adults we do not try completely new activities very often, so first try to understand where your kids fears are coming from. Second, help them understand that fear is a normal emotion and does not mean that they should stop playing. Help them embrace their fears and move forward anyway. This builds resiliency and increases self worth as they were able to face their fears and succeed. 

2. Play Hard. 

There are many reasons that your kid may hold back and not play their hardest. Help them identify why they are holding back and assist them to overcome the barriers. Often times not playing hard is do to feeling unsure of the objectives of the game and understanding rules. 

3. Be the best you. 

We truly want them to do the best for their ability. It does not matter how well they do compared to the other kids on the team. See your child as someone who is learning a new sport and pay close attention to their personal growth. Every kid on the team is learning and developing their own skills at their level. Every progression no matter how big or small should be celebrated. 

4. Know why.

Why are you playing the sport? Why do we have kids play sports? Why does your kid want to play that particular sport? Parents can get very emotionally involved in their kids sports teams and completely miss the reason that we have kids play sports. Kids are learning- what they like, dislike, how to move their bodies, how to win and lose in a socially appropriate way. That should be the focus. So if your dreams or wants are getting in the way, you need to stop. 

5. Fail. 

Failure is part of building skills. Failures teach us so much more than a long row of successes.  Your children need to be proud of their failures and how they are improving. Success is so much sweeter when you have worked your tail off for it. As the parent focus on what they learned from the failure and how they can apply it to their future goals. 

6. Power poses. 

Not feeling that confident? Get your power poses on. Angry unicorn face, superhero pose, and generally good posture have research backing them that they improve self confidence and performance (well not angry unicorn face, but soon, I am sure of it). Help your child strike a power pose before hitting practice to give them the confidence boost to play their hardest. Try creating your own power poses based on animals or superheroes they already find powerful (where we got the ‘angry unicorn face’). 

7. Work Hard. 

When it comes down to it working hard is the most important element. It draws the focus back onto the best version of you and that you are willing to go the extra mile. Reiterate to your child that you may not be the fastest, strongest, or most skilled- but if you work the hardest, it is very much admired and appreciated by others. 

My Challenge to you: Discuss these with your child that is about to play a sport. Identify what they would like you to help with and keep that focus for the season. Remember that they most important part of sports is having fun. So make sure to make it a fun learning experience. 

Happy carpooling friends!

– Jessie the Therapist

Photo by: Vince Fleming; Unsplash