Pushy Parents
When kids play ball, there is one coach on the field and another coach in the stands. “I’ve seen parents come out of the stands to the bench and actually yell at their kid when their kid actually made a pretty good play,” says 15 year old Aaron.
In the increasingly competitive world of kid’s sports, parents can, and often do, lose perspective. Often, in an attempt to help their own child, parents hurt other kids on the team. “Most of the time when you look at what they’re trying to get you to do or want you to do it leads straight to the benefit of their son or their child at the expense of everybody else,” says Coach Ron Bell.
That kind of attitude is counterproductive to the most important things good coaches try to teach like teamwork, sportsmanship, and fairness. It’s often up to parents to keep their peers in line. “I think it’s good for the parents sometimes to kind of step in and talk to some of the other parents and say hey, you just need to cool it a little bit,” says John Economos, the father of three boys.
Kids like Aaron say sports would be a lot more satisfying without parental pressure. “With parents yelling, I can’t concentrate and do my best,” says Aaron.
What Parents Should Know
Involvement in sports is a great way for kids to develop social skills and improve their physical fitness. They also learn discipline, perseverance, and leadership. A coach is crucial, but parents are the most important role models for good sportsmanship.
As is the case in other developmental activities with children, positive reinforcement is necessary to see continued progress. Parents should support their children’s efforts by attending sporting events, assisting with practices, and listening to a child’s concerns. Be sure to praise young athletes when they perform well and encourage them to do better when they lag behind their teammates and always suggest ways for improving.
Most kids are involved in sports because it is a way for them to have fun. Experts say athletic skills and enjoyment begin as play, something kids can do from birth.
When parents use a positive approach, kids are more likely to enjoy participating in sports. Having fun is the best motivation.
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"I’ve seen parents come out of the stands and actually yell at their kid when their kid made a pretty good play." -- Aaron, age 15 |
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Good Sports A survey by the UCLA Sports Psychology Department reports that positive parent participation is one of the leading reasons kids continue to participate in youth sports. Those kids who do continue to participate are more likely to stay in school and get good grades. They are also less likely to have behavior problems. Parents can help by staying positive, interested, and providing a sounding board for discouraged players. |
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Turning To Sports According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 20 million kids now participate in organized sports. What’s the attraction? Besides the fun and frolic, working parents often view sports as a better way to keep a child busy than after school day care. Some experts say it’s a good strategy. Sports help build physical skills, emotional well-being, and provide simple, timeless fun. For kids who spend the afternoon away from their parents, organized sports can be a great alternative to regular after-school care, particularly if the activity is well-supervised and allows children the chance to compete and hone athletic skills. |
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Resources
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Hey Mom and Dad, It’s Just a Game |
For
more information on parenting issues contact us: Connecting with Kids |