A mobile and active child is a healthy child, but how to motivate to go outside instead of sitting indoors? Even more so – to get away from the phone, computer or TV and provide activities that bring joy to the child? These questions tend to preoccupy many parents, and some answers are ready to be given by track and field athlete, coach and “BeActive Beach Games” ambassador Lauma Grieva, whose family includes almost everyone in sports. Every family can apply until July 20 for the European Family Cupwhich will take place in Ventspils on July 23.
It can be said that sport is in the genes in our family. My parents played sports and always took me with them to training or competitions, so I’ve been on the move most of my life, probably more than others.
Start from a young age
My advice is to arouse interest from an early age, but not necessarily by forcing yourself to do sports. There are different ways that sports can become interesting. It is enough to take the child with you to the competition so that he watches how his parents or siblings play sports, or to watch a competition together. Then sports and the sporting environment become commonplace, gradually getting used to loud ovations and emotions.
Sports events are becoming more and more suitable for children – they can be accessed with strollers, children have special noise-cancelling headphones. In addition, the area often offers entertainment for the little ones as well – slides and attractions that create a connection with sports and emotions of joy.
It is also logically connected with the recommendation to make physical activities interesting for children, perhaps as a game or play, to create a plot. We can certainly remember ourselves when we learned to throw a somersault or skate, hit a ball in the goal as a child – the satisfaction, joy and confidence in our abilities was immeasurable.
In the same way, children should also set an achievable goal or task – to go to the farthest tree with roller skates, to find five identical objects during a walk, to go to the farthest store or swimming pool with wheels, to climb the stairs once a day if the apartment is on one of the upper floors. Children are happy to succeed, therefore, if the goal is achieved, it is necessary to praise, recognize their efforts and dedication. Then they will also have the motivation to try in the future, to perform the specific task or exercise even better, to achieve more.
Lead by example and involve
It is equally important to set an example for the parents themselves and to spend their free time in motion – both in sports lessons and in daily activities (when possible, drive less, use the stairs, go for an evening walk even after a long working day and spend the holidays physically active). Seeing that other family members are active and playing sports, the child will take it for granted and want to get involved.
This is especially important if there are children of different ages in the family. The little ones will look at what is happening as a game, but older children and teenagers often get involved reluctantly, with a reproachful look that their parents make them do completely stupid and uninteresting things. The main thing is not to give up. You won’t like it once, the second time, then little by little even the teenager will find something that appeals to him. It’s even better if you can bring his friends with you, because children need company. It is important to be and do things together, to create it as a common tradition.
And be sure to praise for what has been done, for success. It is the greatest motivation when parents notice, believe, appreciate and support. During adolescence, it greatly helps to increase self-confidence, faith in one’s abilities and strengthens the emotional bond with parents.
Listen to needs and desires
As much as parents want an athletic child, their achievements and possibly a career as a professional athlete, the child needs to be talked to, or wanted. Perhaps the conversation will clarify why you don’t like to move, why you don’t want to engage in any physical activity, or on the contrary – which sports seem more interesting in which you want to test your abilities. Choose activities appropriate to the child’s age and abilities – if he cannot do what is expected from the very beginning, he will lose confidence and interest. At all times it is recommended to keep gambling in mind (English – gaming) elements as a method of achieving results – step by step, from easier to more complex activities, with pleasure. I believe that until the age of 14-15, sports should bring joy, the child should be interesting.
It is no less important to measure the duration of movements. No one else knows children as well as we do. Therefore, it is important to notice when the child is tired and let him just do nothing. Watch your child and motivate him for physical activities only when he has strength reserves.
Provide diversity
Just as adults get into a routine of repetitive and same actions, children experience the same, and even faster. It is completely normal to allow yourself to be passionate about several things at the same time, to try what works better, what is more interesting. My son is six years old, and he is already interested in trying everything, for which my husband and I are only happy and supportive. At the end of July, we will all go to “BeActive European Family Cup” in Ventspilswhere both adults and children of all ages will be able to try around 30 different sports – this is a great way to create interest in sports.
It is recommended to provide children with a colorful and diverse inventory, moreover, choosing it together – safety guards and other equipment, sports balls or rackets, even sports clothes. You can and should be allowed to try this outside of training or the sports field – feel the handlebars or frame of the bicycle, turn the pedals, put on roller skates at home, take a tennis racket to bed or wear your favorite sports shirt even when visiting guests.
