Good sports!
![3D"Good](3D"http://www.heartandstroke.com/atf/cf/%7B99452D8B-E7F1-4BD6-A57D-B1=) Spring is a good time to get your =
kids=20
physically active again. Maybe your child already has a =
favourite=20
sport that he can=92t wait to get started on again. Maybe =
she never=20
liked sports before now. Either way, it=92s important =
for kids to=20
get started on activities early in life and to encourage =
them to try=20
new things. Children=92s physical activity expert and =
Foundation=20
researcher Dr. Patti-Jean Naylor says: =93No one sport =
develops all=20
physical skills. For building long-term physical activity =
habits,=20
it=92s helpful if parents can introduce their kids to a =
broad set of=20
experiences and skills so when they=92re older they have =
choices. =94 As=20
well, trying different sports can help your child be =
physically=20
active 60 to 90 minutes a day, most days of the week, as =
well as=20
build life-long physical activity habits early.
Finding a sport
If your kid is =
already=20
into a certain sport, it can give you clues as to what =
others she=20
might enjoy. For instance, soccer, football, =
basketball,=20
and hockey are all sports that require stamina and speed, so =
if your=20
child excels in one, she might do well at the=20
others. Gymnastics, ice skating, inline skating, =
skateboarding,=20
martial arts, tennis, soccer, football − all share the =
skill sets of=20
stamina, body control and coordination. Swimming and =
basketball are=20
good for kids with strength and stamina.
This can also be a helpful guideline if your child =
hasn=92t=20
been engaged in many sports, but shows certain skills such =
as=20
running, jumping or throwing. You should also consider =
whether your=20
child prefers to be active on his own or enjoys being part =
of a=20
team. For kids who prefer to work independently, =
martial arts,=20
gymnastics, inline skating, skateboarding, swimming or =
bicycling=20
might be better choices than team-sports such as soccer, =
baseball,=20
basketball, lacrosse and rugby.
Choosing the right league and level=20
Before signing up, talk to your =
child=20
about whether he would like something that=92s competitive =
or casual.=20
If your child has already been on a team, find out from the =
coach=20
what his personal skill level is. This =
will help=20
you choose the right spot for your child −challenging, =
but not=20
overwhelming. =93If children are challenged at the =
right level of=20
difficulty, it can increase motivation,=94 Dr. Naylor says. =
House=20
leagues or intramurals are usually a good starting point, =
while=20
travel or representative leagues are better for more =
competitive and=20
advanced players.
Ensuring equal play
One of the =
most=20
discouraging things to a kid just starting out is to be =
picked last=20
or put on a bench almost the entire game. Equal play ensures =
all=20
participants get the chance to play in the game for a =
similar amount=20
of time. This also means that teams (particularly house =
leagues) are=20
chosen at random and are not a practice in favouritism, =
either by=20
the coach or the other players. This may be important =
if your=20
child is shy or hasn=92t played any sports =
before. That=92s why=20
it=92s also very important that you attend games regularly =
to make=20
sure that everyone is being treated fairly and =
equally.=20
Discuss the idea of equal play with the sport=92s coach to =
make sure=20
he or she shares your view. =93Many sports organizations =
have rules=20
about playing time in the early years. One of the reasons =
for=20
sharing equal play time is that kids are developing at =
different=20
rates early in life, and development of skills depends on =
spending=20
enough time doing it,=94 says Dr. Naylor. =93You =
don=92t know who=20
will become an athlete, and at that age, kids need to =
develop their=20
belief in their own abilities. You want them to have fun, to =
participate, but also to master the skills so they can feel=20
successful. Sitting one child on the bench while =
playing=20
another for longer can make the non-participant feel like =
she is not=20
competent. You want to make sure your child has enough =
opportunity=20
to succeed.=94
Making sure it is safe
It=92s a =
good idea=20
to make sure your child has had a recent check up at the =
doctor and=20
is fit enough to get out and play more =
vigorously. Also, ask=20
around and find out from the coach and parents if the =
equipment and=20
environment are safe for the kids. Does the sport require a =
helmet?=20
What about protective body gear? Talk to the coach about =
supplying=20
the children with nutritious snacks and 100% fruit =
juices to=20
make your kid=92s activity more enjoyable.
Being a good role =
model
Of=20
course, one of the best ways to get your kids interested in =
new=20
sports is by being open to trying new things =
yourself. =93If a=20
child is going into something new, you need to help them get =
through=20
the difficult stage of skill learning. So, get out in the =
yard and=20
help them practice,=94 Dr. Naylor says. You might be able to =
ask the=20
school if you can borrow some equipment to test which sports =
your=20
kid has the most fun with. Try to stay focused on the =
positive,=20
praising successes, but also not being too negative if there =
are=20
mistakes. Dr Naylor also notes: =93Praise correct form and =
process=20
over just saying =91that=92s good.=92 Specific feedback, =
such as =91it=92s=20
good that you=92re bending your knees,=92 can be more =
helpful.=94 Most of=20
all, she says, be open to letting your kid try the sports =
she shows=20
an interest in, rather than the one=92s you=92d prefer. =
Support your=20
child by getting active alongside. =93Parents can also help =
kids=20
develop skills before starting a sport by trying family =
activities=20
such as dancing, throwing a ball and swimming to build basic =
fitness=20
and skills. Just getting out and doing is a big piece of=20
it. Have fun with your child.=94
Teach your child the basic=20
skills of jumping, throwing, running and =
catching.=20
Read about choosing different activities for your =
child=20
based on their favourite track and field sports.
Get recipes for packable, healthy snacks such =
as mmmuesli cookies and protein bars.
Posted: May=20
2009 |
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