Parents understand it can be extremely hard to motivate children these days. Playing outside is now competing with video games and technology, and it can seem impossible to tear them away from their games. Soccer is the ultimate team sport and it teaches your child to come together with their teammates to help and support each other to win a game. By encouraging your child to play soccer you are also encouraging them to have healthy habits.
Helpful Tips to Motivate your Child to Play Soccer
Listen to your child
Start by listening to your child and understand what aspects of soccer they like and play unto those. If you hear them talk about a negative aspect of soccer or something they don’t like, try and make them understand the value of it. Motivation will be easier for them if they are having fun. Soccer is great for both girls and boys to be involved in and gives them an idea of teamwork from a very young age.
Support your child
Make sure your child is supported by their decision to play soccer. You want your child to feel confident in their decision to play a sport because they will be more motivated and eager to show up to practices and games to give it their all.
Help them set goals
If they are starting to get good at playing soccer and want to continue their success, help them set goals for themselves. A great goal would be something that they can to measure their performance – maybe that’s a time they do a drill and want to shave off 5 seconds. Or if they are a goalkeeper then you can challenge them to set a goal to stop 5 goals in the next game. You know your soccer player best and how to help them set goals that they can accomplish.
Let them know it’s Okay to Make Mistakes
It’s only natural for a child to make mistakes in anything they do when they are learning something new. Make sure they know it’s okay and they can only improve, it’s important not to make a bigger deal out of their mistakes than their achievements.
Kids Soccer Teams in New Jersey
Kids love soccer for many reasons and as a parent, it’s important to help motivate your child so that they continue to have fun during their soccer career. Soccer is great for kids because of its social skills with added benefits to their health. If you need help with motivating your child to play soccer, ask one of your coaches at Dutch Total Soccer. For more information on our kid’s soccer teams in New Jersey, contact us today. We offer many soccer services for youth soccer players of all ages and skill levels.