Creating good spirits
Being active is a necessary part of growing up, and one of the best ways to stay active is by playing sports. Video games and junk food find a way to creep into a child’s life and make it hard for them to stay healthy. As parents, it is important that you discourage your child from leading a sedentary lifestyle. This will affect them as they grow older and help keep all sorts of health conditions at bay.
One of the most common health conditions to affect children in recent times is obesity. It leads to lifelong habits as well as other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. It is essential that parents encourage their children to follow a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to stave off these issues. Another great way is to keep them active by enrolling them in various games and sports programs. It is necessary to help your child inculcate the right kind of spirit to enjoy sports, good food, and an active lifestyle so that they grow into strong, healthy adults.
Get your child hooked onto soccer
If your child has shown an interest in playing a sport, have them join a soccer program at school. Soccer is an addictive sport that will ensure that your child gets all the exercise he or she needs and remains fit and healthy. This means that your kid is running, kicking, and having a great time while keeping health conditions at a distance.
Another advantage with playing soccer is that it is extremely easy to understand and play. The ease of the game is what makes it a favorite among kids and adults alike. It also does not involve a lot of equipment. A good pair of cleats and the right clothes is enough to keep your daughter or son at the top of their game. Everything else involved in the game is usually provided by the school.
Soccer is a lot more than just a sport. It functions as a training ground for children to learn teamwork and other skills that will come in handy when they are older. To play the game, children need to understand how to properly communicate with their teammates and work together to achieve results. This teaches them to be respectful and responsive to one another as they function as a unit. It also brings kids together from various cultural backgrounds and neighborhoods, creating the perfect environment to make new friends. These attributes are essential in one’s childhood as it helps kids grow into responsible adults.
If the reasons mentioned above have not been convincing enough, you should enroll your child into a soccer program simply because it is fun. The sport helps nurture a sense of well-being and self-esteem that is necessary in the developmental years of childhood. It involves physical movement as well as mental challenges that are not offered by video games. While technology was created to make our lives easier, it is very important for kids to get out and have fun. Toys, television, and video games are fun too, but they can hinder a child’s physical and mental development. Sports, especially soccer, are the best way to get your kids outside and help them develop healthy bodies and minds.
Prepping for an upcoming game
After becoming an active player, your child will soon be participating in soccer games. These games are integral parts of your child’s development, teaching him or her to appreciate and respect competition, become better team players, and understanding what it takes to be victorious. As a parent, it is your duty to get them into the right state of mind before the game. Even though your children may have played numerous matches before and are great players, they need their parents’ support and encouragement. Here is a list of 10 things a parent should say before their child’s soccer game.
1. It is absolutely okay to be nervous
As an adult, you would have faced all kinds of experiences where you were nervous or even afraid. It is your body’s natural response and it is more common in children. Before a sports match, children tend to feel a little nervous. This is where they get to showcase their talent and skills in front of many people including their parents, so it is natural to have some butterflies in the stomach. And with so many people watching, the pressure to perform can be overwhelming. All this can make your little one feel nervous or anxious. It is important to let them know that these feelings are natural and everyone experiences them.
Talk to them before their game so they feel reassured and not too tensed about playing.
Calm them down with encouraging words and tell them how proud you are of the sportsperson they have become.
2. It is a game so no matter the outcome you will learn something from it.
When it comes to competition, some kids take it more seriously than others. While this is a good trait to have, it can lead to some unhappiness when the desired outcome has not been achieved. The goal of playing soccer is to have fun, make new friends, and have a good time. All parents want their kids to be winners, which is why they encourage them to be victorious. Although this is what everyone desires, it is important to teach your kids that it is okay to lose sometimes. Explain to them that we cannot be winners every single time. More importantly, tell them that the outcome of the match will not change your love for them. As long as your child is having a good time, it does not matter if they have won or lost. After the match, take your kids for some ice cream or pizza regardless of how they performed. While it is nice to rewards victories, remember to never punish failures.
3. Work hard, play smart, but have fun
A child thinks there is a lot riding on them when they are participating in a soccer match. To them, there is an enormous pressure to perform and emerge the winner. This becomes their number one priority and everything else becomes secondary. Children often forget that the main goal of playing sports is having fun. Remind them before they go on the field. Another thing that children should be taught is the importance of working hard. Victories do not come easy and there is a lot of hard work and perseverance involved. Another thing that will keep them ahead of the game is playing smart. Intelligence will give them an extra edge compared to other players on the field and they can use this to their advantage.
4. Learn to express yourself
Soccer is a team sport that involves the cooperation of multiple people striving towards a single goal. Each team member has a purpose to play and their roles are vital to the team’s success. Soccer teams comprise of strikers, midfielders, defenders, and goal keepers. Their performances affect the team’s outcome and it is very essential they work together as a well-oiled machine. Explain to your child that he or she can choose to take any of these roles. The game is meant for kids to express themselves and work together. Expressing oneself on the field does not mean being dramatic or throwing tantrums. It is about finding out where you fit in among the others in your team and figuring out what role is best suited for you. Communication is an integral part of soccer, so your child should know that they have the freedom to express themselves on the field with their team mates and coach.
5. Discuss gameplay
Before your child goes on to playing their next soccer game, it is a good idea to discuss what happened in previous games and what are the best tactics for the upcoming one. Discussing gameplay can be encouraging and push your child to perform more confidently. Do not use this as an opportunity to belittle or scold them for previous faults. Instead, you should encourage them on their strengths and inspire them to be more confident on the field. Not only does this make them better players, but it also strengthens the bond between parent and child.
6. Mistakes are a good thing
Children are afraid of making mistakes because they believe they will be punished for it. This applies to playing sports as well. They are terrified of making mistakes for the fear of how it will impact the team’s chances of winning. They are also afraid of how errors will affect their reputation among their peers. Parents should encourage their children to understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. This gives them insight on how to focus on areas that need their attention and determining the best way to improve themselves. Convince your children that making mistakes while playing soccer will not result in punishment. Making mistakes is a good thing and there is a lot to be gained by this. Teammates can learn from each other’s mistakes and grow into a better functioning unit.
7. Be a good team player
Some children have a hard time co-existing and sharing with other kids. Soccer is the best platform for these kids to learn how to become efficient team players. Even if your child does not have this problem, soccer will ensure that they become more communicative and co-operative with their teammates. Before their game, encourage your child to focus on these strengths so as to be better team players and aid in the team’s journey to victory. Explain to them the benefits of teamwork and how it takes everyone’s contribution to become a fully functional unit. Good team work always leads to the best results.
8. Your coach is your guide
A soccer coach is a professional athlete who knows the game like the back of their hand. This is why it is important to seek the coach’s guidance before and during a game. Even if your child thinks they know the game well enough, explain to them why it is vital to heed the coach’s directions. No one understands the game like a coach, which is why their words of wisdom are essential to a team’s victory. Talk to your child about paying attention and following the coach’s instructions before the game.
9. Always follow the rules
To win a game fair and square, it is necessary that all participants are compliant with the rules. This applies to soccer as well. Nobody likes it when players bend the rules or downright break them to gain an edge over the others. This leads to an unfair game that no one enjoys. Children are more honest than adults, but that does not mean they are not tempted to break the rules now and then. Explain to your kids the importance of following the rules while playing soccer. This not only results in a fair game and well-deserved victory, but it also makes them better sportspeople. Another benefit of following the rules is that there are fewer chances of accidents and injuries.
10. Always take risks
While playing soccer, it becomes important to make split-second decisions. When on the field, players have to make decisions on the go depending on how the game is unfolding. This requires for them to be adept at taking risks. Encourage your kids to be more aware of their surroundings while playing soccer and that it is okay to take risks now and then. Taking risks also makes them better decision makers, which is integral while playing soccer.
The duty of a parent is to be encouraging and supportive of their child’s abilities on the soccer field. This list should hopefully help you understand what you should and should not tell your child before a game. Enjoy the game with your kids while they make you proud.