How to help your child with athletic development
In this article, you can learn about the three stages your child goes through when it comes to athletic development. You will also learn what’s important to think about if you want to help your kid succeed in sports and life.
My name is Ann Zaprazny, and I help parents and athletes succeed in sports and life.
I have written this article for sports parents to understand the developmental stages of youth better.
Understanding this will help your child succeed in sport and life.
Start reading here
The developmental stages from age four to eighteen
According to the article, Three Stages of Athletic Development: Sampling, Specializing, Investment: One of two pathways of elite performance in Sports by Shane Murphy, Ph.D., there are three main stages of athletic development for the typical youth.
Age 4 – 12
At this stage exploration and sampling should be the focus.
Age 12 – 15
Your kid will now be ready for commitment and specialization.
Age 14 – 18
Now it's time for proficiency and more commitment.
Phase 1: Exploration and Sampling
Sampling often occurs between the ages of 4 -12 and is one of the most critical phases of child development. (The ages are an estimate and may vary per child.)
- Children explore different sports.
- Socialization, movement, and exploration are more important than competition.
Children specialize and compete very young in some sports like figure skating and gymnastics.
How do you best help your child grow, explore and have fun during this stage?
Encourage your child to:
- Explore different sports and physical activities
- Have fun, give your best effort, learn, and demonstrate good sportsmanship vs. winning and scoring.
Nurture the dreams of your child, not your own.
Instead of asking your child, did you Win? Score? Get a Hit? Ask:
- What was fun about today's practice?
- What did you learn?
- How were you a good teammate?
- Did you work hard?
Minimize competition
Competition can interfere with a child's development. We want children to play and to continue to grow. When a team or the environment becomes too competitive, a child's playing time may be limited and adversely impact their confidence. (Travel soccer, basketball, and baseball are available to young athletes - too young.
Nine-year-olds do not need four soccer games a weekend.
Foster enjoyment and skill development.
As parents, we can help our children have a growth mindset by shifting the questions we ask our children about their day in school and their experience at their practice.
Many sports offer travel or competitive teams for children in this age range.
After my daughter completed her third grade recreational soccer season, she was invited to play defense on a travel soccer team.
Fortunately, we passed on the opportunity. Why? My daughter enjoyed playing soccer on Saturday mornings.
However, she did not convey any passion for the game or interest in soccer beyond the scheduled game and practice times.
Your children will give you clues. Pay attention to them.
Phase two: Commitment and Specialization
Depending on the child, the age can be between 12 - 14 or 15.
Young athletes begin to show an increased commitment to their chosen sport. Some may continue to play multiple sports or narrow to the chosen sport. They may become acutely aware of their skillset vs. their peers, impacting their enjoyment of their sport. (ie. My son Jason and swimming.)
As a parent, how do you best support your child and help them continue to enjoy their sport?
Encourage your child's participation. Encourage your child to focus on fun, effort, learning, and good sportsmanship. Nurture the dreams of your child, not your own. Instead of asking your child, did you Win? Score? Get a Hit? Ask:
- What was fun about today's practice?
- What did you learn?
- How were you a good teammate?
- Did you work hard?
Help your child own the process they should be responsible for:
- Getting ready for practice
- Packing their bags for games
- Getting the drinks, snacks prepared for practice
- Decide what time they should go to bed, get up, etc., to be ready for the weekend.
As a personal example, when my kids were competing in a weekend tournament, I would ask on a Friday night, "What can we do tonight to make tomorrow morning go smoothly?" Of course, they would answer - "pack our bags." I would also ask, "What healthy snacks should YOU pack?"
Involve your child in decision-making regarding sports choices.
Continue readingDoes your child want to learn how to let go of stress and be calmer?
Yes, show me how!
Phase three: Proficiency and more commitment
Typically between ages 14-18
Adult body training may become more structured as your child matures and develops. Your child may decide that they want to play at the next level.
Skill development and strength & conditioning become a focus. Athletics may become the central feature of a talented athlete's life. Goal-setting becomes important for your child.
How do you best support your child at this level as a parent?
- Continue to encourage effort, enjoyment, learning, and good sportsmanship.
- Encourage the development of the whole self. Sports is what you do - not who you are. There are many attributes about your child that are important, school, sports, family, friends, and more. Nurture the entire child.
- Allow your child to take on more and more responsibility for their sport, decision-making, and setting their own goals.
- Help your child make smart decisions and encourage adequate rest and recovery.
