Parents have a significant effect on children's sports. Parents who encourage their kids to develop their athletic gifts make the most positive impact when they also teach kids about good sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline and goal-setting. Parents who focus on winning above all else run the risk of raising poor sports or simply having kids who turn their backs on games that should be fun.
Parents and Pressure
Parents can put too much pressure on their children in youth sports, encouraging them to play when hurt or use poor sportsmanship in order to win. That's especially troublesome since kids take their cues about sports from their parents and other adults. If the message children get is to win at all costs or play when hurt, they run the risk of becoming seriously injured. Kids play sports initially because they enjoy the action and camaraderie; if that spirit of fun is nurtured by their parents, the kids stand a better chance of continuing their love of sports for a long time.
Teaching Positive Lessons
Youth sports, however, can be a venue for children to learn about ideas such as fair play, taking turns, teamwork, goal-setting, discipline, coping with disappointment and handling victory with class. Parents help emphasize these qualities by praising children for their efforts and reminding them of the progress the kids make from the beginning of the season to the end. Talking about the games afterward in a calm, positive light, win or lose, can help kids develop a healthy perspective about sports.
Physical Health
Parents have a positive effect on a child's physical well-being by encouraging involvement in sports. Kids who spend too much time in front of their computers, cell phones or televisions are putting their hearts and vascular system at risk. Growing bones and muscles need to be active to be strong later in life. Parents who are willing to drive their kids to practices and games are providing healthy benefits, especially if they teach kids the importance of staying hydrated, warming up, cooling down and otherwise getting the most out of their sports.
Burnout
Because so many youth sports start at very young ages, such as 4 and 5, kids can spend much of their childhoods going to and from practices and games. Children can now play their sports for much of the year, instead of a smaller window during that sport's traditional season. Parents who listen to their kids' desires help avoid burning their kids out on a particular sport. If a child wants to take a break from swimming to play soccer in the spring, she should be able to do so without a parent discouraging that well-rounded approach.
