Positive Parenting in Youth Sports
Parent's Words and Actions Can Positively Impact Youth Athletes
Oct 9, 2009
All to often, children become emotionally damaged because parents put too much pressure on them to constantly perform well in sports. Regardless of whether it occurs on or off the field, a parent's words and actions can have lasting emotional effects. Therefore it is important that parents keep dialogue positive and supportive when talking to a child/athlete about participation in a sports program.
Parent Tips for Talking to Youth Athletes
When engaging children in conversations regarding their participation in youth sports programs, parents should consider the following recommendations.
- Assure children that regardless of the game outcome, pride will always be certain as long as they give 100 percent of their efforts.
- Inform children that the primary family goal is to constantly strive to learn and improve performance.
- Stress the fact that teams that focus on giving a complete effort, constantly learning and improving, win more games than teams that focus on the score alone.
- Remind youth athletes that mistakes are inevitable.
- Assure children that being nervous is normal.
- Find something specific to truthfully praise.
- When talking with a child after a game, remember to listen to the child so that they realize that a parent is on their side.
- Encourage student athletes to have fun and make new friends.
Parent Tips for Creating a Positive Youth Sports Experience
There are many tips parents can actively implement or model in an effort to create a positive athletic experience.
- Demonstrate and require children to honor the game regardless of what others say and do.
- Convey the expectation that, as a youth athlete, they must respect officials and coaches even when they disagree with decisions made.
- Build a positive relationship with the child's coach.
- Make attending games a priority.
- Applaud all participants and be friendly to opposing teams or fans.
- Set a good example by modeling appropriate fan and parent behavior that is consistent with a Code of Conduct that promotes good sportsmanship.
- Respect how the child would prefer parental involvement.
- Know the child's personal goals and if the goals are different from the parent's goals, the parent should consider changing goals.
- Take all necessary measures to ensure the child's needs are met and best interests protected.
Effects of Positive Parent Involvement on Student Athletes
Parents have a powerful influence on their children. When the involvement of a parent is positive, children can benefit in the following ways.
- Athletes participate in sports programs longer.
- Misunderstanding and pressure are reduced.
- Youth are better able to handle sports-related stress.
- Parent and youth relationships improve.
- Youth athletes are more likely to enjoy their sports experience and feel better about themselves.
By implementing these tips, parents will be creating a youth sports experience that positively affects their children physically, socially and emotionally. Positive sports parenting is critical to the healthy development of children and should be kept as priority by all parents.
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