Encouraging Your Child's Love of the Game

America’s problem with childhood obesity is well known and widespread. Kids are struggling to keep fit and healthy, and parents are struggling to encourage an active lifestyle when so many kids prefer to sit in front of the TV/game system all day. Getting your children involved in sports is a wonderful way to combat a sedentary lifestyle and has so many other benefits, as well. But unfortunately, some kids are dealing with another epidemic: over-scheduling and too much pressure to perform at an early age. So as a parent, how do you foster a love of sports and activity without going too far? Consider these suggestions from local coaches and parents.

When parents approach sports with young kids, they should keep in mind that the primary reason kids play sports is to have fun, according to Terry Reuter, area director for i9 Sports. He says that parents should encourage their kids to try different sports so they can figure out what they really enjoy playing. “To make sure they have a good first experience, start them out in an instructional, supportive program that allows them to have fun while they are learning new skills,” Reuter emphasizes. He goes on to say, “It's important for kids to experience success and be encouraged to keep trying. Make sure the program promises equal playing time for all kids so their child is guaranteed the opportunity to participate fully in a game setting to ensure they can apply what they learned in the practice.”

Also avoid starting kids in a program that is too competitive too early. “There is no quicker way to turn a kid off to sports than to be too serious, too soon,” Reuter says. “Kids need to be in a sports program that matches their experience, skill level and competitive nature. It's better to start kids in a program they can have some success in. Then the parents can make an assessment, with their child, on the appropriate level of competition their child is interested in and ready for.”

Look for a league that encourages good sportsmanship in an encouraging and supportive environment. Good sportsmanship is taught by both words and actions, so parents and coaches should model good sportsmanship behavior.

Once you select a sport or league based on your child’s interests, make sure to stick with it for the season. Chris Copeland, Brookridge swim coach, says, “I believe that a child should learn to understand that a sport requires dedication and commitment.” That means making sure the sport schedule works with both kids’ and parents’ calendars before deciding to try the sport.  Sports are just one type of activity that kids should be involved in, though, so make sure that there is time for other interests and good old-fashioned free time when planning your child’s schedule. Let your kids explore different things and settle on their own passion.  Even Debbie Phelps, mother of

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, agrees, telling Today.com recently, “Children have to do what they enjoy. You have to let your kids find what’s best for them and what their own niche is.”

Sara Keenan lives in Brookside with her two children who both enjoy sports and a variety of other activities.  She limits her kids to one sport per season in order to make sure they aren’t overscheduled and burned out.