If you are a parent who is active and likes sporting activities, it can be hard to motivate your child if they don’t enjoy sport. But don’t despair, there are still lots of great activities your child can do to stay active that doesn’t involve sporting skills.
It is important to work out why your child doesn’t want to try or participate in sporting games. Here are some common reasons and solutions to help you get your child to exercise and have fun.
• Undeveloped skills: If your child’s skills aren’t quite developed, their lack of skill may make them feel like a failure. If this is how they feel, help your child practice their skills at home. Your child may be embarrassed to attend training or a game as they may look silly infornt of others. Practice makes perfect so assist your child until they feel comfortable.
• Over-competitive environment: the coach of the sporting team, a sport teacher, other players or even you as a parent might be too competitive for your child. Pressure to perform could make your child hate the game, and not want to be active. Praise your child for their exercise. If they express interest in another activity, let them try that. Give your child options, don’t make them all sport related.
• Fear of failure: your child may not like sport because they are scared of failing. The fear of not being able to do a sport, sometimes outweighs the need to try. Remind your child that sport is about having fun, and being active. Get them to identify their own strengths and concentrate on how good they are. Also practicing the sport before they join will be a good way to boost confidence.
• Wrong sport: sometimes co-ordination does not come naturally. Some sports don’t suit children and they can feel out of place. Find a sport they are not necessarily good at but feel confident in. Some kids enjoy group sports, toehrs prefer to fly solo. Help your child find an activity by encouraging them to have a go at a variety of sports and activities.
If you have found out the solution to the problem and they are still reluctant to take part in sport, give them other options. There are other activities like dancing, bike riding, horse riding, hiking, and yoga. Let them go beyond the common sports so that they are active. As long as they exercise, it really doesn’t matter.
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