Category: Sports
Posted by Beth Reeber Valone (The Detroit News) on Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 1:00 PMEncourage the positives of youth sports
My younger son loves to play baseball and plays soccer, too, to keep active. He's not super competitive but has his moments when he gets really frustrated or angry about a bad call or a loss. My husband and I just want him to have fun and do his best. The winning and losing part doesn't matter as much to us (though it is more fun to win, right?).
We've had some really great coaches and some really lousy ones, too. Parents, too. We try to instill the positives in our kids and use those times when a coach or other parent loses their cool as teaching moments about how NOT to behave in that situation.
We also stress the positives, telling our son for example, how we liked how his coach talked calmly to the umpire about he thought was a bad call or how our son didn't gloat when his team creamed another one.
I think youth sports are great for making friends, learning teamwork and responsibility, dealing with disappointment and having fun while being active. But not all kids are into sports. So encouraging the same kinds of things in clubs or other youth activities is important, too.
How do you encourage and reinforce the positive aspects of youth sports?
Get tips on how to be a good youth sport coach and/or parent to help kids succeed on and off the field at ResponsibleSports.com.
Comments
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Baseball is FUN!
I agree with your totally balanced assessment of the benefits of youth sports. I would like to add that as a coach of youth baseball, it is really frustrating to coach kids that don't like sports. They are participating because their parents are pushing them however they have very little interest in sports. Parents: its OK that your kid doesn't like sports. Explore his/her other interests.
Baseball can be a lot of FUN for kids that get into the sport. It has various levels (i.e. house, local travel, national travel, ...)for all players. Keep it real when assessing your player. As a matter of fact, get a second opinion.
More FUN Baseball at www.funbaseballconcepts.com
Youth sports
My husband and I probably more me feel sports and/or activities are vital to a child's development. Almost all of ours (and we have a crew) play or participate in at least one sport. We are nearly always going to some game or event for one of them. I love it but is is demanding. We also continue our own activities whether it is a Native event, bowling, or softball. Ah but it keeps us young and we spend a lot of time together.
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