Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

10-08-2022

Athletics teach kids lessons about everything from sportsmanship to determination. You can help make your child's sports experience a positive one.

Here are some suggestions:

Look for a sport your child enjoys. Very often, this will be a sport that friends are playing. Children get more out of sports they want to play.
Discuss the responsibility of playing on a team. If your child signs up for a team sport, explain that others will depend on your child to be there for practices and for games.
Look for a coach who is supportive. Some coaches seem to believe in a win-at-any-cost approach. Try to find a coach who understands that this is not the big leagues.
Adjust your own expectations. Your child doesn't have to be the best player on the team to have a good time. Talk about how it's fun to be fit—and how winning is just an extra bonus.
Control your behavior on the sidelines. Overenthusiastic parents are the number one reason kids don't enjoy their sport. Don't yell directions or correct your child—leave the coaching to the coach. Cheer for the team as a whole, not for individual players.
Practice the sportsmanship you want your child to develop. If the referee makes a call you don't agree with, just say to yourself, "It's only a game."

Brought to you by:

Gwinnett County Public Schools