Worried that your child is being too inactive? Soccer Kids Dubai’s Ben McBride lists down his top 10 tips to get kids engaged in sports!
- Support your children, be present. Children are often blamed these days for not being active, but I believe that parents have to take responsibility for this also.
- Don’t push children. At Soccer Kids we experience many parents forcing their kids to participate.
- Make sure the activity is age appropriate, and the coach Is able to deal with that particular age group.
- Take in to account a children’s abilities when watching. We have many experiences of parents (especially dads) trying to recreate their own playing days through their children, and becoming frustrated.
- Winning is not everything. The focus should be on having fun and playing to the best of your ability.
- Respect the teachers and coaches. But always feel free to ask questions to the coaches.
- Don’t force children into too many activities, talk to them, see which activities they really want to participate in. We have known 5 year olds with extra curricular activities that would tire most adults!
- Choose your academy wisely. Just because the academy may have the name or brand of a well known club or individual, does not always mean it is the best for your child.
- Try and get their friends involved, its easier for a child to become involved when their friends are participating.
- Most importantly, any activity should be fun!
By Ben McBride
Co Founder, Soccer Kids Dubai
