How to Help a Child Overcome Frustration in Sports

Whether your child took up a sport as an extracurricular activity or as a way to get more exercise and spend time with friends, there might be times when the pressure to win makes the activity feel more like work than play. The website Kids Health notes that a child̵7;s desire to succeed as an athlete can lead to frustration, anxiety and even physical illness. If you sense your child is feeling stress out on the field, use strategies to help him cope with the pressure and ensure the pastime is enjoyable again.

Instructions

    • 1

      Stay positive if your child struggles with the skills necessary for the sport. The Mayo Clinic suggests praising how much your child̵7;s performance has improved or how physically fit he̵7;s becoming instead of focusing on his number of wins and loses.

    • 2

      Check your behavior on the sidelines to ensure you aren̵7;t adding to your child̵7;s frustration. Kids Health notes that parents can increase a child̵7;s anxiety about sports by pointing out shortcomings, dwelling on losses or criticizing the other players or referees. Instead, praise the hard work that your child, his teammates and coaches have put into the competition.

    • 3

      Help your child learn from his mistakes. When your child appears frustrated about a loss, remind your child to view the setback as a learning experience. Help him pinpoint a way to correct an error or find a reason to appreciate his effort despite the loss.

    • 4

      Curb your child̵7;s competitiveness by encouraging him to focus on personal goals rather than beating the other children. An article in ̶0;Family Circle̶1; magazine recommends telling your child to concentrate on improving his time in a race instead of worrying about coming in first place or beating his friend̵7;s personal best, for instance.

    • 5

      Encourage your child to take a short break from the frustrating activity. Psychologist Dr. Jim Taylor, Ph.D., suggests in an article for "Psychology Today" that your child should stop the task and switch to a relaxing activity if he is having trouble mastering a new skill, for example. After your child has a snack, talks to friends or listens to music, for instance, he may feel refreshed and ready to try again.

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