Back to School - Those three words every child dreads and many parents find quite welcome.
As we enter into these last weeks of August many of us are faced with the incessant barrage of Back-to-School mania. The imminent start of another school year brings another opportunity to teach our youth the many benefits of better health and fitness!
Whatever your child's interests are - the start of a new school year can be a great time to try something new - or join a new team! Maybe your children would enjoy soccer or basketball or volleyball. Give them options - tennis, baseball, cross country or track, swimming or cheerleading- your child is likely to find a sport that he or she enjoys.
Whether your child chooses an individual or team sport, the health and fitness benefits associated with physical activities are the most obvious. By practicing good fitness and eating habits early in life, your child can increase the chances of growing into a healthy adult!
Let's encourage our children to enjoy a well rounded school year with plenty of exercise, fun and sports! School can bring new opportunities for learning - in and out of the classroom!
Some ideas to help our children get the most out of sports:
* Enjoy the game!
* Respect teammates, as well as opponents, whether they are winning or losing.
* Remember that the outcome is never as important as the lasting impression of warmth, understanding and pure enjoyment of playing.
* Remember that scoring is most thrilling when it rewards a true achievement.
* Recognize that playing to win is an essential component of competition, but seeking victory at any cost defeats the true meaning of competition.
* Show respect for the referees, umpires and judges at all times, and accept their decisions in a dignified manner.
* Win gracefully! And if you lose one - be gracious in defeat. Learn from it and practice hard to use the lessons learned.
* Always give it your best.
* HAVE FUN!! Isn't that the whole point?
Some thoughts for parents to keep in mind:
* Understand that your child will make mistakes.
* Provide transportation to and from all practices and games or meets, and ensure your player is prompt not only in arriving, but also in departing.
* Attend practices and games or meets if your schedule allows. Lend the players your support in a positive manner. Emphasize their accomplishments and efforts.
* Make sure your child never talks with, or leaves with, strangers.
* Have your youngster bring the required equipment to and from all games and practices.
* Practice with your child.
* Avoid material rewards. Stress the joy of the sport.
* Listen. Make your child feel important and encourage contribution to a team effort.
* Be positive and never criticize. If your child is not performing correctly or improving, suggest an alternate technique with the coach's guidance, such as, "That's pretty good, now how about trying it this way?"
* Be graceful when your child's team wins. Lets teach them to be gracious winners!
* Be positive and provide encouragement when your child's team loses or your child fails to place. Losses are learning opportunities!
* Make fun and technique development top priorities when practicing. Especially the fun!
* Support your child's coach and, before being asked, offer to help in any way possible.
* Don't disagree with the coach or referees on the field or in front of your child. Questions, input and positive suggestions should be discussed privately and calmly.
* Enjoy the excitement of the sport and the opportunity to be with your child.
Encourage your children to enjoy life more and worry less. Healthy children to play and eat healthy foods tend to do better in school. Whether they want to play volleyball or basketball - or whatever sport excites them - encourage them to join in the fun!
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