Wellbeing Hub
Sport is a large part of Australian culture. We love to barrack for our team, play sport ourselves or be loud and proud when spectating. Sport brings people together from different backgrounds and helps unite us during world events, such as the Olympic Games.
So what makes a good sport? Is it important to remember that while winning feels good, there are many other benefits to playing and watching sport.
Sport can be good for children in many ways. Sport gives children the chance to:
- enjoy physical activity, develop physical skills and build fitness (which also supports positive mental health)
- learn about teamwork, cooperation, and other life skills
- make new friends outside of school
- build resilience in childhood and resilience in the pre-teen and teenage years
Your child may have times when sport seems to be their main priority. You can support your child by emphasising a focus on fun, noticing their skills improve (including their teamwork with others), praising their efforts rather than the outcome of the game, and role-modelling good sporting behaviours such as cheering loudly for your team even if they’re losing badly and always supporting umpires’ decisions. There are many athletes around the world who display positive characteristics and sportsmanship. Draw on their traits and point out their behaviour to your child. Make fun the main priority. If they are having fun, they are more likely to relax and enjoy their sporting endeavours. This will lead to a life full of physical activity, benefitting both their physical and mental health.
If your child doesn’t like to follow a sporting team or code, or even participate in their own sports or team events, don’t panic. Try to support them to find a way to move their body that they enjoy. This could be through walking or bushwalking, dancing, participating in river or beach activities, joining youth groups like Scouts, Guides, SES or even as a first aid junior volunteer. Try a variety of activities, you never know what they may like.
Enjoy the next few weeks watching the best athletes in the world compete.
Go Australia!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie
Oi, Oi, Oi
Sources:
Sport: encouraging a good attitude in kids | Raising Children Network