How To Foster Your Child’s Athleticism Without Sacrificing Academics

In this age of competitive athletics for increasingly younger children, parents are often faced with questions about how to best raise kids who are emotionally and physically well balanced. It’s important to grow a child’s talent, but also to ensure he or she gets a proper education. Most parents know how to get children into sports and help grow that talent at an early age, but aren’t sure how to continue challenging them into later years. The following tips will help you navigate the world of higher-level athletic training.

Honest Assessment

As a parent, you are proud of your children, and often with good reason. However, you need to get honest feedback through outside assessments of your child’s skill level. If you are going to spend time and money fostering the talent, you should speak with coaches and recruiters who know your child. Also, take the time to have a frank family discussion about your commitment level.

Athletic Programs and Schools

One critical step in this process is research various schools and athletic programs. Some particularly dedicated families choose boarding schools with a specialized youth sports performance program. In these immersive experiences, athletes can thrive by being introduced to other competitors and building lasting relationships.

Academics

Regardless of how talented your child is in his or her sport, it’s still critically important to offer an excellent education to prepare for all potential futures. This process should begin early, with an emphasis on finding satisfaction through learning. It will obviously continue with your choice of school, so meet with teachers and principals about academic expectations. Stay involved in your child’s schoolwork, particularly in the earlier years when you can help create good habits.

Next Steps

If you aren’t satisfied with the current team or coach, or if you are simply ready for your child to become more serious about an athletic future, now is the time to make a change. That might mean a more competitive team, or it could be a different school. If you are committed to fostering a talent, it can be the most important step you take.

Discovering your child has an athletic talent can be exciting, as well as open up more options for his or her future. Be an active parent and create a basic plan for fostering this talent by choosing schools and teams that will help it grow. It will help give your child a rewarding future.