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When Puberty Hits – 8 Tips To Keep Your Kid Motivated In Sport At Vulnerable Age

When your child hits puberty, it is a sensitive age. They aren’t as enamoured in the same activities that they once were. Sports is the perfect outlet to allow your child to express themselves on the field or court while staying interested in healthy activities that can keep them out of trouble during these impressionable years. But, how exactly do you make sports a priority in their life and keep them motivated at the same time? These tips can ensure your child excels at sports in their own right and stays down the straight and narrow during those pubescence years.

1. Find The Right Sport At an early age, you may have been a parent that encourages your child to participate in every type of sport that is available to them. At the time, this may have been a great idea as it gave them a flavor of new experiences to participate in.

As your child gets older, you need to allow them to discover the sports that are most meaningful to them. They may not want to continue on with soccer or rather prefer to only perform in basketball. Let them make the choice as to what sports they want to continue on with. When you make sports your child’s idea, you give them the confidence and support they need to discover their true interests and succeed at doing what they enjoy.

2. Get Them Excited About Sports

There is nothing more thrilling than being an attendee at a professional sports event. These events can engage your child and let them see exactly how the pros do it. When you get your child excited about seeing their favourite teams play, they are more apt to mimic these role models and look to emulate their moves.

Your child will want to work to improve their skills and will really look forward to seeing their favourite players reach new sport accomplishments. Get your child excited about seeing teams that matter to them, so they can progress in their own personal sports career. 

 3. Have Some Fun

Sports doesn’t always have to be about winning and losing. Sometimes, you just need to have fun when playing a sport and showing your child the joy of these activities can go a long way. They will appreciate the break from coaching and have a little fun doing what they enjoy.

By taking the time to shoot a few hoops, swim a lap in the pool, or go for a jog, your child will find that it is an activity that can be enjoyed at any time without any rules guiding them.

4. Support Their Efforts

It can be difficult as a parent to remain silent on the sideline as you watch your child struggle in a game. You know their abilities, but you still need to remain supportive. Rewarding your child for a game well-played can help them see the value of their participation in a sport.

Make these rewards an event and take them on an outing that they will remember. This can help to motivate them and help them see that you recognize the hard work and effort they are putting forth.

5. Try A New Sport

When you take the time to discover a new sport with your child, you will see their interest peak as they explore the possibilities it offers. These new sports may take advantage of the skills they didn’t know they had or it may even be a new love for your child.

Having a new sport that you can learn together will motivate your child to try new activities and find sports that they are not only good at but enjoy doing as well. Try frisbee golf, take a yoga class, dance to the beat of Zumba, or lift some weights in the weight room. You just never know what will gain their interest and be their new passion.

 6. Balance Their Time

As your child gets older, the responsibilities they have increase. There are more school work, school activities, and friends to hang out with. Limiting the time your child has for these extracurricular activities can cause them frustration and resentment as they don’t get to do the things they want.

Giving your child the time, they need to play sports as well as be with their friends can help them find balance in their life and be more willing to play sports with the time, they have available.

7. Do It Together

Sports that can be played as a family can help your child find their internal drive. They will evoke that competitive spirit and find that comradery with their siblings. Nothing is more fun than a spontaneous football game on the lawn together or a game of hoops in the yard.

As a parent, you will gain from spending more time with your child while they get to play a sport without having to worry about their form, skill or the score. Let your child have fun as this will increase their taste for a sport, making it something they want to do rather than one they are forced to participate in.

8. Give Them The Tools They Need

As you look to help your child discover their love of sports, don’t forget to get them the right gear. New sports shoes you’ll find on PlusVoucherCode’s JD Sports Deals can liven their outlook about an activity as they not only look the part but have the confidence when on the field.

Plus, with the right equipment, your child will feel like part of the team which can go a long way in motivating them to play more sports with their friends.

Be sure to use these tips to get your child motivated in sports. They will be healthier, happier, and more disciplined because of the skills they learn while playing any an activity that appeals to them. 

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Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 9 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 9 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to families with S4K Membership! Includes Christmas Party, Summer Party, Charity Sports Matches and more!

Available to children from 6 to 14 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to children from 4 years to 14 years and take place once every 2-3 months.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Multi-activity sports camps for children from 5 to 14 years.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 9 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 9 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to families with S4K Membership! Includes Christmas Party, Summer Party, Charity Sports Matches and more!

Available to children from 6 to 14 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to children from 4 years to 14 years and take place once every 2-3 months.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Multi-activity sports camps for children from 5 to 14 years.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.  

Available to toddlers and kids from 18 months to 11 years.  See venues for specific age groups.