How Parents Can Help Prepare Their Children For Starting Sports

Whether it’s your first time putting your young one into a community football team or you’re supporting your high school student through their first season of lacrosse, supporting your children taking on a sport can be a lot for any parent.  

The transition in schedules and activities can be difficult, but with a little bit of planning and structure, both you and your children can thrive while enjoying this new activity. Here are some tips and tricks to help make their season a huge success. 

Help set a routine 

One of the biggest adjustments for children starting a new sport is its effect on their everyday routines. Helping your child stay structured and organised will be a big factor in navigating their schedule successfully.   

If your child is in school, create a list of tasks for them to accomplish before and after practice. This could be finishing homework, helping with household chores, and even getting through their nightly routine to prepare for the next day.   

Be sure to offer support with these tasks, and don’t be unrealistic. Leave ample time to help your child complete assignments they may be struggling with, be reasonable with the chores they have time to adequately finish before or after practice, and always schedule some playtime. 

Flexibility and allowing your child to decompress and have fun are just as important as sticking to their routine. And remember, always lead by example. Wind down as a family together instead of individually to promote a good bedtime and adequate rest.  

Clear your schedule 

Children need support, and just like starting anything else that’s new, their confidence soars when their parents are there for them. To do this, be sure to clear your schedule as much as possible during the season of your child’s sports. 

If Saturday mornings are taken up by a swim meet or a mini rugby match, then make sure that time is dedicated to your child. You’ll want to make time to be at as many events as possible. Just as you make sure your child has reliable transport to and from their events, you should ensure your child has proper moral support, too.  

Sometimes, this is hard to maintain if you work the weekends.  

If so, could you and your partner or another close family member, like a grandparent, take turns attending games? Alternate responsibility, but use your free time as much as possible to be there for your little one. 

Encourage good eating habits 

Help your child make better food choices to help their performance by having healthy options available around the house. To do this, sit down and pinpoint healthier foods your child enjoys together.  

Try to come up with six healthy snacks, either whole fruit or vegetable-based, that they enjoy. Then, pick three sometimes foods they like to have with protein and healthy grains, and then one fun snack for the week to take a break and switch things up.   

Here are a few examples of snacks you can add to your kids’ rotation:  

Staple Snacks	Sometimes Snacks	Fun Snacks
Apple slices with peanut butter	Pretzel sticks and cheese dip	Trail mix
Carrot Sticks and hummus	Hard-boiled eggs	Chocolate milk
Yogurt bowl	Cheese sticks and whole grain crackers	Protein bars

 

Do research together on how you can make yummy and easy snacks that they would like to have on hand before and after practice.  

Show some team spirit 

Now that your child is part of the team, be sure to show some proper spirit and cheer them on! For big games or events, invite extended family to show some extra love from the sidelines. Volunteer wherever you can, whether that’s fundraising, cooking,  washing team uniforms, or offering a carpool for a big meet. 

Is the small community team in need of new uniforms? Consider discussing with your child’s coach about purchasing or updating them. For example, you can order quality custom football kits for an affordable price and help boost team morale. 

At the end of the season, be sure to thank your child’s teammates and coaches. Have your young ones get involved by making thank-you notes or goodie bags to show appreciation for all the hard work they’ve put in. 

Conclusion 

The most important part of helping any child in their sport is being there for them physically and mentally. Taking the time to really encourage your child and support them when they have good days and bad days will make all the difference in their confidence and happiness while playing on their team. 

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