Playing some kind of sport is a great way for kids to get their physical exercise and activity in for the day, but it’s also just a lot of fun!
Children mainly interact with their surroundings through touch and play. Things such as working with their hands and playing in teams help their motor skills and communication skills. So getting them involved in at least one sport is a no brainer to develop these newfound abilities further!
Why might kids have a lack of interest in sports?
Children are generally curious and you’ll often find that they have a lot of energy which might explain all the fidgeting, or not being able to sit still!
But you might find that some kids just aren’t naturally inclined towards any one sport, or you might note that they’re losing interest in a sport they used to enjoy, which can be worrying as it means they aren’t getting their daily physical activity in.
However, there’s usually a reasonable explanation behind this and could include factors such as:
- They feel like they have to keep playing the same sport: They might have enjoyed football for a term or two, but children are always looking to broaden their horizons and experiences, so wanting to switch to another sport might revive their interest!
- They feel pressured to play only one particular sport: Sometimes kids like having the option of switching between sports, and playing only one might be boring. Encouraging or suggesting another sport might give them the variety they’re looking for.
- Not taking enough breaks: At the end of the day, kids are exactly just that… kids! So it’s important to take regular breaks for their muscles to rest and rejuvenate. If they’re tired all the time, it might put them off from wanting to play at all.
What can I do as a parent?
Part of a child’s interest in sports will also be determined by how parents respond. Comparing them with other kids or negative criticism from you will only put them off from wanting to play the sport again.
Instead, you could try some of the following things that’ll maintain their interest or maybe even boost it further!
- Get involved: What’s a better way of getting your kids interested in playing sports than by joining in yourself? When they see you taking part in something, they’re more than likely to at least give it a go and then maybe even keep playing without you!
Why not take them with you the next time you go golfing? Playing the same sport as you will help them feel involved, and with companies like Golphin offering junior friendly clubs, it means they can practice and keep up with you (and let’s face it, riding around in a golf cart is so much fun!)
- Team sport activities: Playing sports which requires kids to work with others in a team is also a great way to gain interest. It not only builds their team player skills but having others around and doing the same activity means they’re more likely to make friends, so they’ll want to stay involved.
- Switch up the sports: Why not take the kids to a variety of sporting areas so they can try out a bunch of different activities and see what they like best? One week could be football, followed by swimming and so on!
- Show up to their sports events as much as possible: You being there will be a good indicator for the kids that you care and are interested in their sports just as much as they are. It encourages them to want to play well and also means they’ll want to keep playing.
Final thoughts
A lot of these activities don’t require an abundance of equipment and can even be done from the comfort of your garden.
But with that in mind, it’s also nice to switch up the environment now and then, so why not try giving football a go in the park or take them to the golf course with you so they can try their hand at it!