Help Kids Develop their Superpowers through Sport

To help kids develop their superpowers through sport, kids need to play! So how can adults inspire kids to stay engaged in sport and not drop-out? First and foremost, kids need to have fun. This is repeatedly stated in research. If we take off our “adult hat” and reflect on why we did things as kids, I think most of us would agree we did things that were fun. What can we do to help kids have fun and have a better chance of developing their superpowers to achieve their potential?

Utilize Three Tips for F.U.N.

F – Focus more on the process and less on the outcome.

Curiosity and fun almost always precede long-term interest and development in sport. With this in mind, the more you can focus on effort, attitude and fun rather than outcome, score and results, the more likely your child will learn to love different sports, improve their skills and stay involved in sports, of some sort, for a lifetime.

Action: Make statements and give process-oriented praise like: “You gave great effort today.” “I enjoyed watching you play today.” “Wow! I can tell you have been practicing your putting stroke, jump shot, footwork, serve, etc.” rather than “You’re the best player out there.” “If you play well tomorrow, you should win the tournament, game, match, etc.”

Youth football teams lining up for post-game handshake

U – Understand learning and changes in performance happen over time.

Dr. Carol Dweck calls this “the Power of Yet.” Her research shows that young people with a “growth mindset,” those who believe skills are developed and can be improved with practice and effort over time, continually outperform young people who have a “fixed mindset,” those who believe skills are fixed and cannot be improved.

Action: Be patient and ask questions about your child’s experiences such as “What was the most fun thing you did today?” “Did you give your best effort today?” (If yes, how did you demonstrate effort?) “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” “How did you improve today?”

N – (k)Now that you and the messages you send have the biggest impact.

Your role in your child’s life, especially through the age of 12, is most influential on what they believe and who they become. With that in mind, it’s important that you feel comfortable and confident in what they are hearing, experiencing and learning from their coach.

Action: Don’t talk behind your coach’s back. Instead, reach out to your child’s coach with any questions, concerns or feedback.

Participation in sport can have a positive impact on a child’s social, emotional and physical development. Developing their unique superpowers - like courage, resilience, confidence, teamwork and responsibility - takes time and intentionality from adults.

“Young people [kids] need models, not critics…”

-Coach John Wooden 

Using the F.U.N. Factor is one way to intentionally help kids have more fun, which will keep them engaged in sport over longer periods of time. It’s likely they’ll not only become better in their sport(s) of choice, but they will develop superpowers to achieve their potential in school and beyond as they grow into young adults. How will you be a model to help your child have more fun through sport?

Be well,

Beth Brown, Ph. D.

Author, Adventures with Divot & Swish