Teaching Your Child to Be a Good Sport

Student-athletes face a lot of pressure. They need to learn to balance academics and sports, continually improve their skills and represent their school in front of other schools. With all of these challenges, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment and lash out after a major win or loss. However, one of the most important skills for athletes to develop is sportsmanship. Here’s how you can help your child become a better team player: 

What it Means to Be a Good Sport

Being a good sport means having a positive attitude regardless of the outcome. It starts with respecting opponents, even the fiercest of rivals. When your child’s team wins, they need to celebrate the victory without demeaning the other team. After a loss, they can be upset, but they can’t take it out on other players. Good team players accept and learn from mistakes, and they celebrate others’ successes, even if it costs them their own. 

How to Teach Good Sportsmanship

When you have a competitive nature, sportsmanship may not come naturally. However, teaching your child to be a good sport starts with you. Lead by example, demonstrating positivity in the face of defeat. In your life, this may mean learning to appreciate your professional rivals. For your child, it will mean communicating well with teammates and opponents. Emphasize the effort and teamwork of both teams, rather than focusing solely on winning. When your child does experience a loss, help them cope in a healthy way.  

Reinforcing Good Behavior 

Being a team player can be hard, especially after a difficult loss. When your child is a good sport in not-so-good circumstances, compliment them. Talk to them about how meaningful it is for their team and the opposing team when they maintain a positive attitude. On the other hand, if your child shows poor sportsmanship, address the behavior privately, and do so in a calm, constructive manner. 

The Role of Coaches and Parents

While it’s ultimately up to your child to be a good sport, coaches and parents provide essential support to help them learn how. Coaches should set expectations for sportsmanlike behavior upfront for the whole team. They should also provide guidance, leading by example to show the team how to celebrate wins and accept losses with grace. It also helps when coaches provide a positive environment. Athletes will always feel pressure to perform, but coaches need to be sure their team members know they’re appreciated. Parents need to reinforce this with their children, as well. It takes a village to create a supportive environment for a child, especially a high-achieving child who wants to win. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, students can participate in a variety of sports, and in each one, coaches instill the importance of good sportsmanship. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a collaborative learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

5 Ways to Support an Aspiring Athlete

Athletic children need support from trusted adults. Sports can be physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting, but they can also be fulfilling. Children have some of their best experiences on the field and on the court. Being part of a team brings children together and helps them form lifelong friendships and fond memories. Here’s how you can support your aspiring athlete and help them make the most of their experiences:

Help Them Stay Motivated

What your aspiring athlete needs most of all is encouragement. This starts with being at every game and being present with them after. Provide words of encouragement and positivity to boost your child's confidence. When they’re just starting out, they may need to be reminded that no one begins as a pro. If they make mistakes, help them reframe them as learning opportunities. Keep your child motivated to stay dedicated and focused on their goals.

Invest in Their Future

Sports can be expensive. However, it can be worth the investment if it’s truly what your child wants to do. Invest in quality sports equipment and gear for your child so they can be safe and perform their best. Cover the costs of training sessions, competitions and travel expenses. Keep these expenses in mind whenever your child expresses interest in a new hobby or sport.

Attend and Cheer at Games

Showing up is half the battle. Your athletic child will remember that you were there for their games and competitions. Be a positive and enthusiastic spectator, cheering on your child and their teammates.  When they’re young, they may act embarrassed about your enthusiasm, but they really do appreciate it. 

Offer Emotional Support

Disappointment happens. It’s very rare that a team wins every game, and not every child can be the star player. Help your child cope with these setbacks as they happen. During times of intense pressure, like your child’s team playing that one game or going to that one competition that determines the outcome of the reason, help them destress. Encourage them to find an activity outside of the sport that helps them calm down. When they’re centered, they’ll perform better when the big day comes. 

Connect with the Team

Build positive relationships with your child's coaches and teammates. Connecting with their athletic community can go a long way toward showing your child you care. Stay involved in the team’s activities, and show your support. This can be especially helpful when conflicts arise and your child needs you to step in and help. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we are proud of our student athletes and do what we can to help them succeed. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Balancing Academics and Athletics: Tips for Parents of Young Athletes

You want your child to be successful in all aspects of life, but that can be challenging. Student athletes need to spend a significant amount of time on athletics and a lot of time studying to thrive in both areas. Chances are, your student athlete will need help finding a balance between the two main aspects of their lives while still having time for friends and family. That’s where you come in. Here are some ways you can help your child achieve a balance between school and sports. 

Develop Time Management Skills

All students can benefit from learning time management skills, but it’s especially important for those who need to balance their academic lessons with extracurricular activities. Your student athlete may become overwhelmed when it’s the peak of the sports season and they see their homework piling up. Work with them to create a schedule that gives them plenty of time for schoolwork, sports practice and rest. 

Help Them Set Academic Goals

Student athletes often become so focused on their athletic goals that the academic ones fall by the wayside. Work with your child to set academic goals so they can stay on track in school. Encourage them to set goals that are realistic to reach but challenging enough that they need to work to attain them. This is an important part of creating balance.

Foster Open Communication

When your child needs someone to talk to, it’s important for them to know that you’re there. Balancing schedules between school and extracurricular activities can be overwhelming. It can be even more difficult to admit that they’ve taken on too much and need to take a break. Keeping the lines of communication open will give your child comfort when they need to go to you as a resource. 

Set Aside Time for Rest

Everyone needs to rest and recover, and when you have a busy schedule, rest can be hard to come by. Schedule time for rest so that your child can go back to giving it their all in the classroom and on the field. This may mean stopping them when they insist they just need one more hour of practice or one more hour to study. 

Celebrate All Accomplishments

Your ambitious child may struggle to see their smaller wins while working toward the big ones. Make sure to celebrate all of their accomplishments, from acing a difficult test to helping the team score points during a game. Keep them motivated throughout the season, and be there for them when things don’t go their way. It’s important for your child to know that they have your support, no matter how the season’s going.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we believe parents play a major role in helping student athletes succeed. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.