Are you wondering how to encourage your kids to play sports without being pushy?
When it comes to your child’s health and development, they will benefit enormously from playing sports. Whether it’s soccer, baseball, or basketball, all these sports will teach your children the importance of teamwork, resilience, and accountability, as well as keeping them fit and active.
Unfortunately, while technology has its advantages, more and more kids are favoring their iPads and PlayStation over getting outdoors and playing sports. If you resonate with this, it’s time to take action. However, being pushy isn’t going to make your kids interested in sport. Here are some tips that can help.
Practice What You Preach
As the parent, you may not be aware of how much your child looks up to you. Even when they’re throwing a tantrum and in a bad mood, your kids copy your actions without you realizing it. When it comes to sports, they may need to see someone they love and trust taking part first, which will give them the drive and excitement to get stuck in themselves. If you’re lounging around on the couch all day, you can’t expect your kids to be into sports. Therefore, taking your kids out for the day and playing a sport like baseball or tennis can make a real difference. If you opt for baseball, nothing beats a wooden bat.
Give Them Choice
Whether you’re a lover of the NBA or NFL, you need to understand that your child may be interested in different sports to you. If you force your child into playing a particular sport, not only will they dread going to play, but they could also end up resenting you in the process. It’s your job to give your child plenty of choice and let them pick a sport that appeals to them. Even if you’re not a huge fan of the sport yourself, allow your child to have freedom. Once they pick a sport that excites them, they’re more likely to stay motivated and committed to it.
Be Positive
What you say to your child matters, especially if you’re trying to get them into playing sports. Make sure you remain positive and upbeat and promote the benefits of sports. Over time, your words will feed into your child’s brain and will change their outlook on playing sports. A positive mindset may be all it takes to get your child off the couch and onto the pitch.
Watch Games Together
Before your child starts playing a sport, it may be worth introducing sports to them first. You can do this by watching games on the television. Your child may be scared about playing a sport if they have never seen how it’s conducted, so getting them into watching sports channels when they’re young can be a big help. As time goes by, your child may start to develop an interest in sports, and instead of watching on the television, they may want to go and play it in person.
Stay Patient
We all know how important it is to have patience, especially as a parent. If your child is reluctant to play sports, you shouldn’t lose your temper and get angry. This will make your child resent sports even more. Staying patient and giving them time to find a sport they feel comfortable with is key. If they need a helping hand to get started, there are sports and activities you can play as a family, such as tennis or swimming.
Playing a sport will benefit your child both physically and mentally, teaching them to be sharp and agile. If your child is spending too much time in front of a screen, there are lots of things you can do to encourage them to play sports, without overdoing it.
How to Encourage Your Kids to Play Sports without Being Pushy is a feature post
