Let Our Kids LEARN So Much More from Playing Sports
Playing sports should never just be about ‘doing something sporty’.
It offers plenty of learning opportunities, err … IF we parents allow our child to experience them.
Like,
– Pack own equipments and water bottles
The very basic requirements all kids need to do by himself. Not prepared by parents nor maids.
– Exercise self discipline when it comes to practice time
The child needs to learn and remember his own practice schedules instead of relying on us parents to tell him when he’s supposed to go and have his practice session.
– On competition day, he’s to go and register his name by himself. If there are questions to ask (eg. What is the order of play, etc), then he’s to ask the questions himself.
– Struggle and fight on the court on his own, but at the same time know that whatever is the outcome, his family is there to support him
When he’s on the court, although his family watches the game too, he’s on his own. He has to think of his own strategies, battle his own nervousness and fear, etc.
If he loses the game, be a good sport, and thank the opponent for a good game– Appreciate winning opponents
If he loses the game, be a good sport, and thank the opponent for a good game, shake hands, etc.
– Be humble, yet do own best.
Never think of self as better and higher than others, which could lead to snobbish attitudes on and off court. But when on the court, do your best and play to win every single point.
– Make friends with EVERYONE
Especially on competition day, you get to meet others from different backgrounds, who come from different towns and cities. This is a great opportunity for the child to make new friends, especially when he often has to wait quite a while before it’s his turn to play. Go and have practice sessions with them, chat during lunch time, etc.
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‘Don’t run too much!’I personally have seen parents who comment on their kids’ performance a lot from the side court, ask their maid to carry their children’s water bottles and tennis bags and even wipe the kids’ sweaty foreheads during practice sessions.
I’ve also seen parents who (at the start of a practice session) tell their very healthy children, ‘Don’t run too much!’ or ‘Don’t stay under the sun too long!’
Though done in the name of ‘good’, unfortunately it will not do any good to the child.
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Yes, how much a child can learn from playing sports, depends a LOT on the parents, too.
