How To Motivate Kids

Yelling and instructing Kids to “get up and do something!” often ends up in achieving the opposite. You cannot force your child to play Soccer or any other sport for that matter.  Parents and coaches must understand this and take a less direct approach.  You must try and orchestrate an environment and set up conditions that will make the child active and you must provide the inspiration for this by setting a good example.

If your the coach or a parent, you must become a role model. Kids will always follow what you do more than what you say. You cannot expect your child to be active if he sees you everyday watching television and drinking beer. If they see you enjoying physical activity and having fun, it will motivate them to join you. You will not have to ask them to join you. Playing together is important too. Help your child practice soccer and basic movement skills such as throwing, catching and kicking a ball.

7 Ways To Motivate your Kids (Providing the right conditions).

• Plan and have a range of active soccer ideas for when your child says “I’m bored”. It doesn’t have to be soccer activities, try hide and seek, skipping, throwing and catching.
• Buy your children gifts that encourage physical activity, such as soccer balls, bikes and any other sporting equipment. Buying the new PlayStation 3 does not encourage your child to be active, so be careful when buying gifts.
• Get your child’s friends around and encourage active play amongst the group. Activities such as bike riding and any ball activity is surely better than the kids playing soccer on the PlayStation.
• Create fun and exciting opportunities for activity. On the weekends organise a group to go away to a park and play soccer and reward the group with a barbeque afterwards.
• Plan to utilise daylight savings to allow your child more time to commit to outdoor activities.
• Try and plan soccer camps during school holidays.
• Get involved in the activities. Set a good example and make the experience enjoyable so the kids will want to attend again.

If your child has already succumbed to computer games and has become inactive, gradually build up the activity levels. Start with an easy to moderate level of activity and build on this foundation. Start today and set goals so you can chart the progress over time. Long term motivation is very elusive, but once a child becomes active sensible steps are needed to create a habit.

9 Steps to long-term Motivation.

• The amount of activity should be built up over a period of time.
• It doesn’t always have to be soccer activities. Let your child choose a variety of activities and see which one creates the most enjoyment.
• Keep the activities interesting.
• Be flexible. If the weather does not permit outdoor activities, have an alternative plan ready such as indoor activities.
• Always support your child’s activity, whether its riding a bike or active play within an organised team.
• Encourage and always recognise their achievements.
• Always try and get involved in the activities. Attend practice sessions or matches whenever possible.
• Offer incentives or rewards. If your child completes a physically demanding task, reward him with a trip to the pools or the beach.
• During activities, enjoyment should be the main priority. Enjoy the experience and remember to always smile.