If you are the parent or guardian of a child who is athletic, you know what a challenge it can be to encourage them to practice. A few kids were blessed with natural athleticism and practice is unnecessary. The majority of kids need to work hard and a bit of time practicing to be comfortable and confident on the field or court. If your child fits into the latter group, there are a number of ways you can help them excel. The first things kids have to realize is getting good at a sport takes a lot of practice. Many kids believe it should come naturally without effort, but in order to stand out from the rest, even the best athletes commit to hours of practice. The trickis to determine how to make practice fun without sacrificing time for other responsibilities. This is easier if kids can practice at home. Even without a practice buddy there should be a way to keep skills sharp. A great way to do this is to have a baseball pitching machine on hand for kids who love this sport. softball pitching machines serve the same purpose, and even if a child is alone, their skills can stay sharp with mechanical assistance.
There are similar options for kids who enjoy playing football or tennis, and if your child is a fan of basketball, all it takes for at home practice is a net.
For those who looking for more structured practice opportunities, should consider enrolling their child in a class or camp. During the summer months it is easy to find a camp or class for kids who like a variety of things. Some are focused on just one thing, like a sports or craft camp, and others are general camps that offer exposure to a few things throughout the weeks or months of enrollment. This is a great option if you want your child to practice their usual sports skills but also let them enjoy a few other things and meet kids with other interests.
Camps are overnight or just during the day, and if finances are a concern, there are often scholarships available for kids who need them. Speak with you child about their feelings on attending a camp that will put them with other children with similar talents and interests. It may be intimidating to work with other kids who are better, but the exposure will benefit them in the long run.
If your child chooses to enroll in a camp that offers sports instruction and other activities, be sure they continue to practice their sports skills at home while attending the camp. This way their skills will stay sharp while they enjoy exposure to a variety of other sports or activities.
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October 8, 2010
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