Sports are an excellent hobby for children. Playing a sport teaches valuable lessons, such as teamwork, compromise, leadership and gracefully accepting defeat. For parents who are not athletically inclined, however, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, many community and school sports groups require little parental involvement.
Step 1
Ask your child which sport he prefers. While many schools push such sports as football and baseball, all sports offer similar benefits for children. A child who is excited by a particular sport is more likely to stick with it and work hard to succeed. Set a minimum length of commitment to that sport, such as a season, after which the child can change sports if desired.
Step 2
Investigate the various types of teams offered in your community. In larger communities, many sports offer both recreational and competitive leagues. Recreational sports are generally lower-key, focusing on friendly matchups rather than stiff competition. Competitive leagues hone a child's skills and may better prepare her for a college or professional team, but often require a significant investment of time and money.
Step 3
Enlist the help of your child's coach. If you are not an athlete, you may not know how to help your child practice at home. Ask the coach for recommendations on exercises that your child can do with little or no assistance.
Step 4
Seek the help of teammates. Most sports are suited to small group workouts or practice sessions. Set up practice times for your child with an athletically-minded family.
Step 5
Show your support for the team. Selling concessions, ordering uniforms and driving a carpool are all necessary tasks that require no knowledge of the sport. Parental participation is sometimes a requirement for children's participation, so sign up early for jobs that make you feel comfortable.
Step 6
Remain emotionally available to your child. Although it may be hard to relate to team drama or bad coaching decisions, athletes face tough decisions and difficult losses on a regular basis. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage your child to come to you with any problems.
Step 7
Trust your instincts and those of your child. Some well-meaning coaches become pushy. Some parents become over-involved in their children's sports careers. Some athletes are ruthless in their quest to be the best. If you or your child sense a real problem, work out a plan of action together. Let your child fight his own battles when possible, but be ready to step in as the adult if the situation warrants.
