84-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 15, 1995
Sports, Competition and Kids
“Play ball” it’s that time of year
again at least for Little Lea
guers! Children are playing base
ball and softball at all age levels.
My own two children are in the
midst of baseball and softball prac
tice with the impending competi
tion of games.
While many children are
involved in sports competition
throughout the year, many parents
wonder what affect the competi
tion has on their children. There
has been research that indicates
that losing in competition can be
damaging to a child’s self-esteem.
Studies have also looked at the
stress in young athletes which indi
cates that those children who are
constantly pushed by parents and
coaches run the risk of losing inter
est in sports because of the anxiety
and stress associated with compet
ition.
If you’re concerned about bum
out in your child, watch for the fol
lowing symptoms: signs of agita
tion, sleep disturbances, nausea,
headaches and muscle tension.
Other signals might include signs
of depression, lack of energy, sad
ness, and loss of interest Another
consideration is that a young ath
lete under constant pressure is
more susceptible to injury. Child
ren may even see injury as an
"acceptable” way to avoid the
pressure.
Parents and coaches play a
major role in helping children
develop a positive attitude and a
lifelong desire to be physically
active by removing the pressure to
excel.
I think the first question adults
need to ask themselves is if the
children are involved in sports
because they choose to be, or
because the parents want them to
be. From observing parents and
coaches over the years, I have seen
several trying to fill their own ego
needs—the children aren’t neces
sarily playing because they have a
strong desire.
Take a positive approach
praising children for their efforts
rather than focusing on what they
could have done better. Children
need to know their parents are
proud of them they can find
enough fault in themselves on their
own.
Focus on the game, not the
score. Be sincere when you say,
“Winning isn’t everything.”
Focus on the child’s developing
skills and not the end score.
Match your child to the sport —
self-motivated children are better
suited to individual sports, such as
running or swimming. A more
low-key child may enjoy golf or
recreational soccer. Take the time
to try a few sports before getting
involved competitively.
Have realistic expectations. It’s
important to keep in mind that not
everyone can be a great athlete.
Sports can be used as a way to
teach children about limits and
strengths. This can be an oppor
tunity to set realistic goals.
Emphasize the leisure value of
sports and long-term health
benefits.
Choose a sport matching the
child’s skill. Quality programs
should take into account the deve
loping child by making playing
fields smaller and developing
playing rules that allow all child-
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ren to succeed!
Play with children. Playing
with children, not in competition,
is also important. Biking, hiking,
and catch are a few recreational
alternatives to competitive sports
that can provide an opportunity for
families to play together.
Know when to provide competi
tion. Until adolescence, competi
tion should be low-key and fun.
Children should be assessed for
their physical growth, and emo
tional and mental maturity when
selecting a sports program.
Provide a variety of sports. Pro
viding children with a sampling of
American Agri-Women
YORK (York Co.) The mid
year meeting of American Agri-
Women will be held from April
20-23, .at the Radis son Inn, in
Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The session will bring together
members from agricultural com
modity groups, state farm
women’s organizations and agri
cultural leaders from around the
nation. AAW is a coalition of over
SO farm organizations representing
for the goal of promoting the truth
ful depiction of the role that
American Agriculture plays in
strengthening the U.S. economy.
This year’s meeting in Green
Bay will offer not only a business
meeting but also will provide
members a chance to participate in
a leadership seminar, policy plan
ning, and an ongoing strategic
planning session. Key areas of
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sports activities helps to round out
their physical, social and mental
development
Let the coach coach! Coaches
and players all agree that parents
are more effective as encourages,
not criticizers! Let the coaches do
their job.
Finally, be a positive role mod
el. By enjoying sports and good
health practices for fun and fitness,
children will see that competition
isn’t everything. The health bene
fits can make everyone a winner!
So, suit up and have fun cheer
ing your child on to an active,
healthy, positive lifestyle!
To Meet
policy to be discussed by the group
will include; 1995 Farm Bill, Prop
erty Rights/Land Use legislation,
water legislation, food safety
legislation and many other critical
issue areas that impact American
farmers and ranchers.
The participants will also tour a
milk processing and bottling plant,
and bear from author Chris Peter
son discussing her publications on
the dairy industry like “Extra
Cheese, Please!”
Penn’s Agri-Women represen
tative will be Carol Ann Gregg of
Mercer County. She heads up the
policy papers that will be the cen
terpiece of the June Fly-In for
American Agri-Women. Mem
bers are encouraged to attend June
4-6. Call Pat Sueck for informa
tion at (717) 862-4386.
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