How to Motivate Kids to Work Hard at Sports

Sports teach kids teamwork, the importance of physical fitness and the value of an active lifestyle. Some kids naturally are drawn to sports. They enjoy playing games and being in competition. Others see it as hard work or feel they’re just not athletic. These kids may need motivation to pick up a baseball bat or put on some soccer cleats.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a sport the kid enjoys. While he may not love throwing a football, he may find pole vaulting is an exciting challenge.

    • 2

      Encourage your child to befriend other kids in the same sport. Meet their parents and arrange playdates with them whether the get-togethers involve sports or something else entirely. Interaction builds teamwork, and the other kids can provide motivation as well.

    • 3

      Don’t allow your kid to quit her sports term during the season, unless the coach is verbally abusive, your child is frequently getting injured, the sport is affecting her grades, or other special circumstances exist. Encourage her to stick out the rest of the season, and if after that she wishes to discontinue playing the sport, allow your kid to do so. Given time, there’s a reasonable chance her displeasure with the sport will go away and she’ll get back to enjoying the sport.

    • 4

      Talk to your kid about the benefits of sports, such as skill development, having fun, making friends, healthy competition and building solid physical fitness habits.

    • 5

      Reward your kid's effort not just when he wins, but also when he works hard. Even though he went 0-for-4 in the baseball game, he hustled on the field and helped out his teammates. Recognize this with a compliment or a tangible reward like an ice cream cone or other treat.

    • 6

      Avoid scolding your child if she performs poorly in a sport, which could motivate her to quit the sport to avoid your disappointment.