In addition to the many physical health benefits, participation in sports can boost self-esteem, reduce pressure and stress, and promote key life skills such as teamwork and problem solving, highlights the University of Missouri. Many parents may notice that their child has a special talent for sports, whether they’ve exceeded expectations at a recent game or outperform their peers on a routine basis. For parents who wish to nurture their child’s natural talent, there are plenty of ways to help, from the value of your support to the advantages of extracurriculars.
Your support is crucial
Parental support is a major way to encourage a child’s talent, interest, and participation in sports. This can be achieved in a number of ways, from your attendance at games and practices to your encouragement after a bad game. Not only will this demonstrate your belief in your child’s abilities, but will let them know that you’re there for them regardless as to how they perform. One LinkedIn article by Myrianthe Ewington explores the value of family support in sports, particularly when it comes to benefits such as success and well-being. Due to the stressful nature of a game and the pressure put on your child to perform, the presence of family support can go beyond a few cheers from the sidelines. “In such stressful moments, knowing that there’s a loving and supportive family to fall back on provides a sense of security and relief,” writes Ewington.
Extra participation can feed excitement
If your child shows a great interest in sports, there are several ways that you can help feed their excitement — especially if the school sport team simply isn’t enough to keep your child engaged. Sport summer camps, community leagues, and one-on-one practice with a coach can all help feed a special interest. Extracurriculars such as these can help your child realize their potential, and can further aid in the development of the skills they’ll need to succeed. Additionally, the encouragement to try new things — like summer camp — can help them boost their confidence, too. However, it’s important to take into account that there are avenues beyond the field that can help promote a passion for sports.
If your child shows an interest in baseball, one great way to encourage them is through additional baseball-related activities. A trip to see a professional baseball game in action, for instance, can be the perfect way to inspire your child to carry on with their own baseball journey. The creation of a baseball collection is another great way to help your child learn more about the sport they’re interested in, and can also serve as an ideal way to spend time together. Learning more about the game itself can further their interest as well, particularly when it comes to players both past and present. Online biography resources are essential when it comes to well-researched information, and can help those who wish to learn more about baseball’s icons and unsung heroes. Whether your child wants to know more about on-field accomplishments or a player’s personal journey, an online biography can lay out the information in an unbiased way.
The balance between interest and talent
It’s important to note that you’ll have a difficult time trying to nurture your child’s talent for sports if they have little to no interest, even if they do possess a natural talent out on the court or field. As such, it’s important to help them realize that there are a variety of sports to enjoy, and a number of ways to enjoy them, from flag football to swimming, croquet, tennis, baseball, and beyond. A Live Healthy article from the University of Missouri explores the value of participation in multiple sports for children, which presents advantages such as the development of well-rounded athleticism, and the ability to identify which sports they truly enjoy. Participation in more than one sport can also help avoid overuse injuries, which are often associated with repetitive motions (like swinging a bat over and over). Proper gear is also very important, if you kid likes soccer, high quality inserts for soccer cleats are a game changer for protecting against injuries.
“Studies show that overuse injuries and burnout increase when kids focus on a single sport at a young age,” explains Dr. Aaron Gray, a MU Health Care sports medicine doctor. When the goal is to try another sport, Dr. Gray goes on to recommend those that engage different muscles and skills, which can help children develop in a balanced way. In conjunction with healthy boundaries (such a limit on the hours that your child plays a sport), sports can become a healthy part of your child’s routine.
Sports are a healthy way for kids to stay active, though a game of baseball or a round of tennis can extend into a passion for many children who have a natural talent. For children who demonstrate natural athletic abilities, parents can help further their interests and abilities through unconditional encouragement and support.
