Encouraging your kids to play sports from a young age is one of the greatest gifts you can give them to support building their characters as they grow. Not only will sports help them physically, but sports will teach them many lessons about ownership, comradery, and ambition, to name a few. However, because every kid is different, you have to pay attention to what they are leaning toward, regardless of how good or bad they are. If your kids are old enough to understand, it is your responsibility to introduce them to diverse sports that they can try out so that eventually you can make the right choice together. But, this can be a little more challenging when your kids are still very young to have a say for themselves. Below are some tips to help you in picking the right sport for your kids.
Check How Your Kids React to Different Sports
Playing any sport needs discipline and commitment. However, it is imperative that it brings some joy or positive feelings to your kid. When kids engage in sports that they enjoy, they are far more likely to succeed and excel. This is one of the first clues that you should be looking out for when trying to pick the right sport for your kids. Even if you think that your son is not great at football, yet, it makes him happy, then you should let him play it until he decides otherwise.
Let Your Kids Try As Many Sports As Possible
Expose your kids to as many different kinds of sports as you can manage. Let them try team sports as well as individual ones, and see which ones do they enjoy more. Then take them to different ball games so that they can have their pick. You can help them decide by introducing different versions of each sport. If your daughter is showing an interest in basketball, but the overwhelming rules are putting her off, make practice more fun for her.
Choose from the classic basketball driveways games, click here to check them out. Games like ‘Around the world’ and ‘Knockout’ will amp up the fun element while at the same time will subtly help her hone and refine her skills. When kids get rid of their fear of failure and the need to be “the best,” it will become easier for you to identify their real likes and dislikes so that you can make the right decision.
Mind Their Personalities
Like adults, kids have their good days and their bad days, which can be confusing when you are trying to figure out whether they like a sport or just liked having you or their best friends around. No one will be better at deciphering your kid’s behavior than you, so you have to factor in your understanding of their personality. If you have a quiet son who does not normally respond well to toughness, then perhaps it is better to avoid the school’s swimming practice, whose coach is known for his short temper. While you want sports to teach your kids to overcome their fears and become more outgoing, pushing them beyond their limits will only make them uncomfortable, and can have an adverse effect on their characters.
Check Both Yours and Your Kids’ Schedules
When you enroll your kids in any sports, you want to make sure that both you and your kids can commit to the practice schedule. It might not be right to put your sons into tennis lessons that start at the same time that you finish work. Even if you manage to excuse yourself early from work for a week or two to make sure they get there on time, it will only add unnecessary stress to the whole family. Instead, try to find a sport that has a schedule you can conveniently fit into your own, or at least, one that is flexible enough to cater to your preferred timings.
Factor In Your Budget
Especially if you have more than one kid, it is essential to think about how much the equipment, lessons, and any extra fees the sports practices will cost you. You should also include in your budget the costs of replacing the equipment, and how often will you do so. These are all pressing matters that you need to discuss as a family before you make any promises to your kids.
While trying to decide the most suitable sport for your kids can be difficult, you have to remember that whatever you end up choosing, it will be useful for them. Even if you get it wrong at first, you can always take them out any time and let them have a go at a different sport. Use the above tips to help you make an easier and a more educated decision.
