How to Get Kids to Love Sports

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle means that kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity in each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can help your little one to get up, out and active by instilling a love for sports at an early age. Whether your child outright expresses an enjoyment for a specific sport or doesn't really pay attention to athletic endeavors, coaxing her to give these types of physical activities a chance can help her to explore out-of-school interests and maybe even find a new passion.

Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your child about his likes and dislikes when it comes to athletic activities. Ask him what sports might interest him, and ask him to explain his reasoning if he just answers with "Nothing." Provide your child with ideas and options that he may not have though of, such as trying the track team if he likes running around the backyard.

    • 2

      Act as your child's cheerleader. Provide constant and unconditional support for her in all of her athletic activities, not just the ones at which she excels. Provide realistic verbal praise and encouragement, such as saying "I am so proud of how you were a team player during your soccer game" or "I liked how you got back up on the balance beam with so much confidence after falling off."

    • 3

      Teach your child about good sportsmanship, recommends KidsHealth. Talk about how his attitude affects the team or the game as a whole. Point out how he supports his teammates and how his teammates can support him. Understanding sportsmanship practices can make the game more enjoyable for your child and instill a greater love for a sport.

    • 4

      Focus on your child's active participation, not her winning or beating another child. Encourage her to enjoy playing the game to prevent making the sport too achievement-oriented.

    • 5

      Show off the pros. Take your child to a professional sporting event to give him an idea of how the experts play the game. Use the game as a way to enthuse your child about the sport.

    • 6

      Provide plenty of opportunities to try new sports. Allow your child to try different sports that interest her over time.

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