Bruce Dias 
As your child begins to show interest in sports, it’s crucial to fully support and cultivate their enthusiasm. Even if soccer, for instance, isn’t your cup of tea, every pastime offers valuable lessons to be acquired and friendships to be formed.
By engaging in the sport, your child can gain insights into aspects like teamwork and fellowship while also enhancing their physical well-being. In 2018, a third of children lacked sufficient activity, so if your child likes a sport, foster it. Below are suggestions to help you nourish your child’s love for soccer.
Motivate, But Don’t Stress
It’s normal to desire success for your child, but applying excessive pressure could lead them to lose enthusiasm or experience burnout prematurely. Rather than focusing on the outcome of a game, encourage them to share their most enjoyable moment from the match.
Instead of highlighting areas for improvement, prompt them to reflect on moments they felt a sense of accomplishment.
Avoid drawing comparisons with other players, and instead, inspire them to consider how they supported a teammate during the game. Strive to let their own passion and love for the sport be the driving force behind their progress.
Purchase Memorabilia
If your child is passionate about soccer, they likely have an adored team they enjoy watching. Consider enhancing your child’s hobby to boost their enthusiasm. Rather than seeing it as just kicking a ball around, elevate the experience of their hobby.
Let them know they’re tracing the path of legendary football stars. One effective way to accomplish this is by acquiring memorabilia from their favorite team.
For instance, if their team of choice competes in the Premier League, you could organize a soccer birthday party and buy some Premier League football jerseys as gifts.
Allow them to Form Their Own Choices
Empowering your child to make choices can cultivate a profound passion for the game. Allow them the freedom to determine their practice duration, preferred position, and the competition level they wish to participate in. This approach fosters independence and encourages them to take accountability for their decisions.
You can facilitate this by guiding your young player through the club pathways. Discuss with your club director and coach to understand the club’s structure, its various levels, and the opportunities open to your child. Present all these options to your child, granting them the privilege of self-decision-making.
Don’t Let Sports Dominate Your Life
Even though it may seem like your child’s hectic sports calendar controls your existence, you can deliberately try to prevent it. Ensure there’s space in your family’s life for activities other than sports.
If your child decides against participating in sports, don’t worry. There are numerous other methods to stay active and exercise. Discover what fits well with your family and what your children are passionate about, and start engaging in those activities.
Encourage Persistence
It’s a common experience among parents: Your child pleads for you to let them join a new sport. You get acquainted with the coaches, invest in the uniform and equipment, attend the first match…and in just a few weeks, your child is now imploring you to let them QUIT.
There are numerous motivations behind children wanting to quit sports. They often don’t excel at the sport right away and would rather abandon it than endure (and, from their perspective, face the embarrassment of failure).
Endnote
Don’t forget to put your child’s pleasure in the game first, nurturing a positive and wholesome outlook towards soccer. With your encouragement, your child can keep chasing their love for soccer, growing into a passionate player with impressive skills.
