|
Son wants to play football
Send a link to a friend
Syndicated column from The Parent
Institute
[OCT. 1, 2005]
Q: I have a
question about my son and sports. He wants to play football, and I
worry about injuries. I am trying to convince him to take up another
activity or, if it has to be a sport, to play basketball instead. He
claims he won't do well in basketball and should be able to choose
something he really likes. His father agrees with him. It seems to
me that as long as he is involved in any extracurricular activity,
he will benefit. Do you have any suggestions on how I can approach
this argument with my son?
|
|
A:
Playing an after-school sport can be
the best part of a student's day. It can benefit your son in many
ways. For example:
-
Sports help students keep fit and
active. Many adolescents spend far too much time in front of the
TV. After-school sports are a positive alternative.
-
Sports help students develop many
new skills. With each new skill your son develops, he is more
likely to have the confidence to meet classroom challenges as
well.
-
Sports help teens learn to work
together as a team. Teamwork is one of the most valuable skills
developed by sports.
-
Student athletes feel more
connected to their school. As a result, they are less likely to
have discipline problems. Their attendance also improves, since
most coaches won't let athletes practice if they didn't go to
class.
Support your son's choice. As a parent, you want to help your son
develop his self-confidence. The confidence he will gain from
playing a sport that he enjoys may also affect his learning. The
same "I can do it" attitude that helps him learn how to catch that
important pass can also help him stick to learning algebra or
French.
[to top of second column in this article]
 |
 Schools are very careful about safety, but your concerns are
certainly valid. Talk to the athletic director at your son's school.
Ask some of the following questions to help judge the safety of the
football program:
-
Are the coaches certified in
first aid and CPR?
-
Does the coach have a written
emergency plan in case of an accident? Has the plan been
rehearsed?
-
Is there a first-aid box and ice
at all practices and games?
-
Does the coach have the kids do
warm-ups, stretches and cool-down exercises?
-
Are team members required to have
a physical before playing?
-
During the game, are there plenty
of rest breaks? Is water always available so kids won't get
overheated?
Your son's coaches and athletic department will be glad to
address each one of your anxieties. Finally, the extra benefit is
that students who participate in sports learn every day that
practice makes perfect. That's a good lesson for the classroom as
well.
[The Parent
Institute]
For more information about helping
children learn or to submit your own question, go to
http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive
a prompt answer by e-mail.
"Ask the Learning Advisor -- Ideas for Raising Successful
Children" is a free, syndicated column from the Parent Institute.
Copyright © 2005, The Parent
Institute.
|
