Motivating your child

Knowing the facts is not the same as finding what will motivate your particular child to get active. After all, every parent knows that children fly in the face of common sense. Although you can point out that being active is fun, will improve her skills and help her to gain self-confidence and pleasure (because the experts have proved it), this is not convincing enough for the average child – and certainly won’t wash with a teenager.

Bear in mind that, although it may be easier with a child who is naturally interested in sport or a good athlete, any child can be motivated. Obviously, every child is an individual and will respond to a different approach or mix of styles. Some need a great deal of praise, others react well to goal setting – you will best know your child’s temperament and will be able to cherry pick from the following motivational suggestions to find what is right for your child:

Make sure it’s fun

Finding that special ‘fun’ activity that appeals specifically to your child can be the catalyst for a lifetime of physical fitness. Often it is an activity that your child finds she is good at – but the overriding principle is that she enjoys it. If it’s an activity that you participate in as a family, then obviously, you must also enjoy it. As we have seen, parents who enjoy physical activity are good role models and their children are more likely to participate in physical activities themselves.

Keep it varied

Throughout the week your child needs to perform a variety of different physical activities that do not just involve sport. Simply being active in various ways is the key. For example, walking to a friend’s house, kicking a ball about with mates on the green, walking the dog, free play in the garden, dancing to music videos, doing chores, attending clubs and sports classes – all these pastimes will help your child to have a more active and healthy lifestyle. Variety is also the key in terms of finding the right sport for your child. She cannot know what she excels at or what she particularly enjoys if she hasn’t tried a multitude of different activities.

Rather than worry that your child cannot stick at anything, allow her to give a sport a try for a reasonable period and, if it’s not for her, let her replace it with another activity. View it as a step along the way to finding a lifelong pleasure. As children grow, the activities that they enjoy and feel competent doing will change. One thing is for sure – if she feels sport is a burden she will give it up at the first opportunity.

Horses for courses

You should be sensitive to your child’s tastes – perhaps she will prefer individual sports such as swimming or gymnastics rather than team activities. Seek out non-competitive activities for children who dislike the pressure of competition. Start with what you already know she likes. If she hated the school swimming gala but loves the pool on holiday, let her go to free swim sessions at the local pool but avoid lessons or swimming clubs.

Be realistic Your child probably will not seek out activities on her own. It is up to you to help her discover new and exciting activities that will fit in with her schedule and lifestyle.

Although we all hope that our children will shine in their endeavours, realistically, very few children become power athletes. As long as she is enjoying taking part in sport and activity she will be fit, healthy and happy – which is what we should all wish for our children.