Kick Start your Kids
Parents play a crucial role in how their children approach sport.
This section covers how you can help your children enjoy sport; the health and social benefits and what you can do to get your kids interested.
You can make a difference!
Get to grips with your roles and responsibilities and find out how you can help make your child's involvement in sport more enjoyable.
Why do Kids play sport?
It's obvious, isn't it? Kids play because they want to have fun and enjoy themselves. But that's not the only reason.
The confidence trick
Playing sport will give your child bags of confidence. They'll also get a real sense of achievement. For a lot of kids sport is their chance to shine, but others can get demoralised. So remember to make sure the sport your child plays is the one they're best suited to.
Team player
Kids like to feel part of a team and with sport they can feed off the energy and enthusiasm of their team-mates. It can really bring them out of their shell.
Winning's not everything
Sport's really exciting. But not all kids are in it to win it. While some children love to compete, others shy away from it. So don't be pushy! It could scare your child away from sport altogether. If your kids do enjoy winning see if there are competitions that they can enter where they will compete against youngsters of a similar age.
Remember to find a balance between sport and play.
How to get them involved
Variety is the spice of life
Help your child choose the sport that's right for them. Okay, so they hate racket sports, have no interest in kicking a football around and are always trying to avoid athletics.
So, how about giving rugby a go instead?
Remember lots of sports aren't included in the school curriculum.
A healthy balance
Don't expect too much from your kids. Sport can easily be fitted in around other activities such as playing musical instruments or visiting friends.
"I did it my way"
Let kids get involved in their own time and in their own way.
Get involved
However, you can set an example by getting involved yourself. Sport's a great way to spend time together as a family.
CLICK HERE to find out what Dragon Sport clubs exist in your area please contact your local co-ordinator.
How can I motivate my child?
Bribery will get you nowhere! Your child will never become the next Jonny Wilkinson if he'd rather be splashing about in the pool than out on the pitch. And it doesn't matter how often you force him to spend his time practising drop kicks!
Tune in
Instead, find out what your child's interested in and opt for some gentle encouragement. Why not try taking them to along to watch a game to start off with? Even if it's just a football friendly at your local park.
Home sweet home
A simple kick about in the back garden is a great way to get into sport. It's a non-threatening environment and it'll give your child confidence.
Lead by example
If you play sport, take your child along with you. Cycle to the shops together instead of getting in the car. Don't watch from the side - get into the swimming pool with them.
Know your stuff
It's a good idea to try and understand the sport your kid plays. Even if it's just getting to grips with the basics of the game, the position they play and the skills they need. That way you won't feel left out when they recount the stunning switch pass and double loop that led to their team's winning try!
Keep the faith
Trust that your kids know what they're doing. Let them make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes.
Common Parental Mistakes
It's important to be aware of the dangers when you're child is playing sport. Putting your children under too much pressure will do more damage than good. Just because you're paying expensive club fees and driving your child to games, doesn't mean they have to win every single game they play.
Some parents want to fulfil their sporting dreams through their children, but think twice before pushing your kids into it. They may just want to have fun and may excel at a less competitive level. Often they just want to play with their friends.
Your ambitions could make them feel pressured and may cause embarrassment in front of their friends. Don't push your child into becoming a professional footballer when all they want to do is kick a ball around.
It's fine to be ambitious, but it's easy to get carried away.
Remember only a small percentage of kids who start a sport will go on to make a living out of it. Your child's enjoyment, growth and development should be your main priority.
Your Roles and Responsibilities
As a parent, you are responsible for many aspects of your child's involvement in sport. Give them encouragement, but don't pressure them to play sport.
New challenge?
If your child starts to lose interest, find out why and think of ways you can get their interest back. Maybe they need a new challenge. By encouraging your kids to have a go at other sports you'll make them feel in control.
There's loads of sports on offer out there, so if basketball's not their thing, athletics could well be the one.
The whole point of playing sport is having fun, as well as picking up new skills.
Emotional support
The more involved your child gets in sport, the more they'll need your support. If your kids take sport seriously, they'll become stressed at times; this is when they'll need your help.
Sport can provoke extreme emotions, like having to deal with losing, or the adrenalin rush you feel when you win. It may be the first time your child has experienced these feelings, but it won't be the last - sport is a good place to start.
Give them as much support as possible by going to as many of their games and competitions as possible - they'll appreciate you being there.
Be part of the picture
If your child needs your support, make yourself accessible to them. Or better still, get involved by volunteering your services or take up coaching, then you'll be in a much better position to help them out.
Playing the game
Once your children start playing sport, there's the extra stresses to add like preparing for trials, winning and losing, getting on with the coach and other team-mates. Make sure you know what's going on.
Getting picked for the team
This can be a difficult time for kids - and you. If your child starts worrying about what the coach thinks of them, comparing their performance to their team-mates, they can become intimidated.
Remind them to focus on themselves. Set goals for them and talk about the ways to reach them.
Remind your kids that if they don't succeed at a particular trial, it doesn't mean they won't succeed at another.
Giving the right message
While nobody likes to lose, children should be reminded it's also how you play that matters. Questions such as did you win? or did you score? can make your kids feel as if they've failed.
Focus on maintaining your child's confidence. Ask them if they enjoyed the game and how they could have done better.
Most importantly, ask your child if they had fun.
Getting on with the team
It may be the first time your child has been part of a team; encourage them to get to know their team-mates. The same goes for your relationship with the coach and other parents.
You all have different goals: you're concerned with your kids' performance, the other parents with theirs and the coach with the team as a whole.
If the coach makes a decision that you're not happy with, try not to cause trouble with them as this will invariably cause more headaches for your child.
Or you could give coaching a shot yourself.
How Parents can help
Helping out does not necessarily mean devoting hours and hours of your own time. Everybody seems to be busy these days however we are all concerned that kids develop to become healthy adults. Sport has a vital role to play in that development.
Some parents may not be naturally sporty themselves or may feel they do not have the necessary coaching qualifications. Dragon Helpers do not have to be qualified coaches to assist. Dragon Helpers can help in other ways such as:
- Providing transport
- Washing the kit
- Taking the register
- Looking after club funds
- Cheering on from the sidelines
Of course to develop after school clubs, helpers are also required to assist in the running of these sessions, to becoming a team manager, coach or referee.
How can I get involved?
- Ask your child's club coach if you can help out with the after school clubs
- Respond to requests by Dragon Sport clubs when they are sent home with your children
For further information on Dragon Sport, contact your local co-ordinator: full contact details of all co-ordinators can to be found on the Contact us page.
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