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For the parent, there can be few things more rewarding than seeing your child enjoy sporting success, knowing that you put them on the right track. So what can you do to assist your child if you believe that they have a talent for a particular sport?
Keep it fun
If your child is a talented sportsperson, they will probably enjoy taking part in sport, but you should still make sure that their sporting sessions are fun and interesting, rather than regimented and physically tough. No amount of sporting success is worth your child being unhappy. Besides, if they are unhappy they are likely to 'retire' from the sport at the first opportunity. Regularly vary the content of their sporting sessions, including letting them take part in different sports of their choice, to prevent them from getting bored.
Focus on quality, not quantity
Your objective should be to give your child a solid foundation of technical skill and knowledge of the sport, which can be steadily built upon in the future. Look for long-term rather than short-term results (and make sure they know that you won't be annoyed or disappointed if they don't achieve success). Another reason for 'quality not quantity' is that children quickly lose interest, and therefore short sessions are preferable to long ones. In addition, too much time spent on sport can lead to the child thinking that they're missing out on what other people their age are doing, which might also cause them to take early retirement.
Know your own limits
Obviously, if you are trying to teach your child something, you should know how to do it correctly yourself. Knowing when to admit that you have reached your own limits and need the assistance of someone with a deeper knowledge is therefore an important stage. Certainly, cost can be a restrictive factor here, but even an occasional professional coaching session can help to iron out any faults before they become ingrained. Asking the advice of your child's PE teacher is another avenue worth pursuing.
Make sure they are ready before they compete
There is no specific age at which children should start competing. It partly depends on the sport and opportunities within the sport. It also depends on the child's maturity, both physical and mental, as well as their ability and their desire to compete. Certificates, medals and trophies can be an excellent motivator and develop the child's confidence, yet trying to make them compete before they are ready can be a huge mistake. Embarrassing themselves in front of an audience can adversely affect a child in many ways. However, even if they are not ready to compete, taking your child to competitive arenas allows them to see accomplished sportspeople in action, which all helps with the learning and motivating process.
Remember, it's not just about sport
Sport is a medium through which children develop personal qualities that are vital in other areas of their life. For instance, even though it might not help them win more games, teaching fair play and discipline is part of the development of a rounded human being. If the child is taught wrongly, personal qualities such as these can develop in undesirable ways. There are other ways in which you can utilize your child's talent for a particular sport to teach them things that will benefit other areas of their life, such as pointing out the importance of a decent diet. After all, being healthy is more important than being a sporting champion.
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Author: Darren Ward
Copyright www.exercise.co.uk
2001
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Copyright Exercise, Fitness & Leisure 2001
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