Would you consider your child an athlete? Would they rather participate in a sport than watch it? Or would they rather play a sport than just about anything else?
Some kids are happy to play a little basketball in the backyard occasionally--either with some other kids or even by themselves. Others are more driven and want to join a team. The more casual sportsman among the kids will not be as emotionally caught up in playing the game. This means they are less likely to be upset or consumed by it, but it also means they may be more easily discouraged if sometimes they don't play well or they run into obstacles. If this describes your child, they may need some help and encouragement from mom to stay with the game.
The athletic child will not be hard to motivate. Rather, they may prove to be hard to tie down. Finding ways to say "No," or "Later," may be your biggest challenge. Keeping up with them as you drive them to events and practices may be your workout.
For the less athletic child, though, you may need to do a little plotting and planning to keep them on the bounce. Making sure the activity is right for them is essential. If they don't enjoy what they are doing, nobody is going to be very happy for very long.
Once you've found something they love to do, the battle is half-won. But only half.
Do they want to quit when someone else plays better than them? Do they get self-conscious about spectators? Do they lose interest part-way through a game, and need encouragement, bribery, and negotiation to keep their committed to the end? These problems are less likely to pop up when they are doing something they like, but some kids still lose interest at times, even in an activity they enjoy.
It's important to keep in mind that some kids are not into team sports. If that is what you wanted for your child, but it's not what they want too, it's in your best interest to go along with what your child wants. In the long run, life will be easier for you that way. Maybe they prefer something they can do on their own, without a schedule to keep, and without team mates or opponents to make them self-conscious or anxious.Do they like to skateboard? Get them a helmet, make sure they learn the ropes, and send your kid on a roll. Do they lean towards the more solitary, quieter yoga? Once they have learned how to do the poses, they can do yoga when and as much as they want.
If you can help them find an activity that sparks their interest and enjoyment, you will have done well.
Jody Smith is a freelance writer for Empowher.com
Sources:
Keeping Kids Active
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/active_kids.html
Related Links:
Will Yoga be the Next Olympic Sport?
http://www.empowher.com/fitness/content/will-yoga-be-next-olympic-sport
Sports and Severe Brain Injuries in Kids
http://www.empowher.com/postconcussion-syndrome/content/sports-and-severe-brain-injuries-kids
Youth Sports: Are the Kids Really Having Fun?
http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/youth-sports-are-kids-really-having-fun
