If you are the parent or guardian of a child who is athletic, you know it can be a challenge to help them excel. A few kids are naturally filled with athletic ability and they do not even need to practice to do well. Most though will need some coaching and a bit of time practicing to be comfortable and confident on the field or court. If your child is part of the majority who need to work harder to do well in sports, there are a number of ways you can help them excel. The first things kids have to realize is getting good at a sport require lots of practice. Many kids think showing up at practice with their team is enough to make them the star athlete, but in order to stand out from the rest, even the best athletes commit to hours of practice.
The trick for parents is to find ways to make practice fun and convenient for kids, while still balancing other responsibilities like schoolwork and household chores. A great way to do this is to make practice possible at home. Even without a practice buddy they should be able to take some time each day to practice their skills. A great way to do this is to have a baseball pitching machine on hand for kids who love this sport. Softball pitching machines work just as well, and even if a child is alone, they will be able to practice their hitting and fielding skills anytime they want at home. There are similar options for kids who enjoy playing football or tennis, and if your child is a fan of basketball, all it takes for at home practice is a net.
Those looking for more structured practice opportunities may consider enrolling their child in a class or camp. During the summer months when school is out, there are camps for just about every activity you can imagine. Some are focused on just one thing, like a sports or craft camp, and others are general camps that offer exposure to a few things throughout the weeks or months of enrollment. This is a great option if you want your child to practice their usual sports skills but also let them enjoy a few other things and meet kids with other interests. Camps are overnight or just during the day, and if finances are a concern, many of the camps offer scholarship programs that are both need and talent based. Speak with you child about their feelings on attending a camp that will put them with other children with similar talents and interests.
It may be intimidating at first to meet new people, especially if they have more natural talent than your child, but the competition may drive them to practice harder and excel. If your child chooses to enroll in a camp that offers sports instruction and other activities, be sure they continue to practice their sports skills at home while attending the camp. This way they get the benefit of participating in a variety of activities, but keep their skills sharp.
