Does your child dream of becoming the next Olympic star or professional athlete? While some may share these goals, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that all parents and families should be involved in sports. We encourage you to take a common sense approach to training.
These days, you don't often see kids playing pick-up games outside or competing to see who is the fastest. Open and free play seems to be less popular as young children choose her one sport or activity and play all year round.
Organized sports can be great for kids. It helps you develop physical skills and get regular exercise that supports healthy growth and well-being. Participating in sports can also help you make friends, learn how to play fairly as part of a team, improve your self-esteem, and have fun. However, research shows that nearly 70% of children nationwide quit their favorite sport before the age of 13.
This is a warning sign that too many young people are experiencing burnout, which can cause them to walk away from activities they once loved. Burnout also impedes the budding habit of physical activity and its lifelong physical and mental health benefits.
Burnout occurs when children no longer feel enjoyment or accomplishment when playing or practicing.
There can be many reasons for this, but when your child is young, it may be difficult to focus on just one activity, whether it's baseball, swimming, soccer, dance, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, or any other choice. If you concentrate, your child may lose. Interest and enthusiasm. It can also occur when young athletes are externally motivated and work toward goals and dreams set by others rather than goals they have set for themselves.
Overtraining and burnout can leave young athletes feeling physically or mentally exhausted. They may believe that winning in sports is all that their coaches, parents, and family members want and need to do. In the worst-case scenario, children may believe that this sport is their only chance to succeed in life.
We encourage families to have a positive attitude towards sports with an emphasis on fun, teamwork and regular exercise. In this way, sports can become part of a balanced lifestyle and help children stay active and healthy into adulthood.
Here are some tips for healthy youth participation in sports.
Wait until your child is completely ready, around age 6, to start playing organized sports. Young children should be given opportunities to enjoy free play and exercise social skills every day to help develop their bones, muscles, and balance. There's no pressure to do everything.
Encourage your child to play different sports. Research shows that children thrive when they try different activities before puberty. You're also less likely to lose interest or drop out if you participate in multiple sports.
Focus on the fun. Did you know that the number one reason kids want to play sports is because it's fun? Give them the freedom to choose activities they truly enjoy. Avoid placing too much emphasis on results and performance, especially with young children.
Set training limits. AAP experts advise parents and families to take at least two to three months off each year and plan for one to two days of rest each week. Vacation can be divided into months.
Think about what drives your child. Are they thinking about success in college? Or will they become wealthy and famous athletes later in life? These are exciting dreams, but parents and caregivers need to take a balanced view. Remind your child that only 3% to 11% of high school athletes go on to college, and only 1% receive an athletic scholarship. An even smaller percentage of college athletes go on to professional careers. (He is one of less than 2% of NCAA student-athletes who play professionally after graduating from school.)
Please pay attention to your child's health condition. Growing athletes need adequate sleep and adequate nutrition to recover from the stress that training puts on their bodies. Make sure your child gets enough foods rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin D. Female athletes should be aware of problems caused by overtraining, such as delayed periods. Also, many sports emphasize maintaining a certain weight or body shape, so always be on the lookout for signs of an eating disorder in your child.
Watch for signs of abuse. If you have concerns about your child's relationships with coaches or other adults in the sports program, take action. If you see or hear anything that suggests abuse, or if your child complains of abuse, speak up right away. Your child's doctor can help you develop a plan to advocate for your child.
Set a positive example. If your kids see you working out or playing sports seven days a week, they might be inspired to do the same, even when you're tired or in pain. . After all, children catch what their parents expect. If you practice healthy self-care, they will too. Your attitude towards your child's motor skills is also important. Look for ways to evaluate everything they do, not just what they accomplish on the court, field, or gym. Knowing that you love them unconditionally will give them the confidence they need to get the most out of their sport.
For more information, visit HealthyChildren.org.
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About Dr. Brenner
Joel S. Brenner, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a member and past president of the Sports Medicine and Fitness Council of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He practices sports medicine at King's Daughters and Children's Specialty Group PLLC Children's Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. He is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He serves as a team doctor for a local high school and a performing arts high school.
About Dr. Watson
Drew Watson, MD, MS, FAAP is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Sports Medicine and Fitness. He practices pediatric sports medicine in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a team physician for the university's athletic department.
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