Keeping your kids busy in a constructive way can help prevent them from getting into trouble. Encouraging your kids to play sports, enroll in dance classes, join a club or other activities can not only help their self-esteem, it can help with their social skills.
Daughters may be more hesitant to play sports for a variety of reasons, one of which could be embarrassment that they are not good enough.
What if there were a way to decrease the chances of your teenage daughter becoming pregnant, as well as avoiding a host of other behaviors that have serious risks? According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, involvement in sports may be the key. - Connect with Kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that sports participation and exercise are positive alternatives to risk-taking for girls. Playing sports gives young females independence, status with peers, a chance to make friends, relaxation, weight control and more. According to the CDC, girls who play sports learn the following life skills:
- Teamwork
- Goal-setting
- The experience of success
- The pursuit of excellence in performance
- How to deal with failures
As a parent, how can you encourage your teen - male or female - to participate in sports? The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity offers the following advice for keeping your teen interested in sporting activities:
- Actively support your teens involvement in physical activity. Buy your teen good equipment, watch his or her games and consider volunteering as a coach.
- Take your teen to the park and be active with him or her. Help your teen learn the fundamental skills of running, throwing, catching and kicking.
- Be an active role model yourself. Mothers who participate in sports increase their child's participation rate by 22%. Fathers increase that rate by 11%.
- Emphasize fun and fitness rather than competition and slimness. Encourage your teen to try a variety of new activities, and help him or her acquire the skills and equipment needed for participation. Consistently offer praise and support to your teen.
- Introduce your teen to active male and female athletes. Buy sports books about successful male and female athletes. Watch sporting events on television and attend competitions in your community.
Reference: Connect with Kids
Be an educated parent, you will have healthier and safer teens.
Comments
I am excited to see that girls are creating a space for themselves where they can thrive and be successful. These current trends will have even greater impact on generations to come. Keep it up!!
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