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http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/ 

HOW TO MOTIVATE KIDS TO PLAY SPORTS

How to motivate kids to play sports is a hot topic today, 
given all the news about obesity in our country. 

It’s also a hot topic for our readers and members, who 
often ask us what’s the best way to ensure their children 
are motivated to play sports and enjoy all its benefits. 

A recent study from Active Network and the Sporting Goods 
Manufacturers Assoc. sheds some light, providing a few 
surprises—and a few no-brainers.

Here’s the no-brainer, a tidbit we’ve told you over and 
over again: Kids are most motivated to play sports when 
they’re having fun. 

In the Active Network study, about 92% of youth and 88% of 
teens said they participate to have fun. As we’ve said 
before, nearly 75% of kids drop out of sports by the time 
they are 13 because they’re not having fun.

According to Kristin Carroll , vice president of corporate 
and consumer marketing for Active Network, the survey 
uncovered an important no-no for parents. If you tell kids 
they should participate in sports to lose weight, they 
won’t participate.

Interestingly, a big motivator for kids is watching their 
parents enjoy sports. And that goes for teens as well as 
young kids, says Carroll. You may think your teens aren’t 
watching—but they are. 

In order to be a good role model, you need to find a sport 
you enjoy and be sure you communicate your enjoyment. In 
the study, less than 33% of adult respondents said they led 
active lifestyles for fun.

The study results showed a direct link between the number 
of activities parents participate in and the number of 
sports and activities their kids participate in. 

In fact, 85% of parents with children participating in two 
or more ac tivities (ie active activities) said they 
participate in six sports or activities themselves.

Parents, if you want to motivate your kids to play sports, 
make sure they’re having fun. 

Find out why it’s fun for them (it’s often because they 
enjoy the social aspect of sports) and focus on that. 

Avoid pressuring them and avoid focusing on the score or 
win. Meanwhile, make sure you take part in sports or 
activities that are fun for you—and you let your kids see 
how much you enjoy them.

Want to learn more about motivating your kids to play 
sports and enjoy all the physical, social, and emotional 
benefits? At Kids’ Sports Psychology, we’ve got loads of 
resources for you:

http://www.kidssportspsychology.com/