| A little confidence is not a bad thing. That's just what | | | | remedy the confidence issue. |
| every kid needs to perform well in every activity they | | | | If your child expresses interest in the sport and |
| do. How does your child gain confidence? By learning, | | | | appears to be trying, but you notice a confidence |
| progressing and mastering the things in which they | | | | issue, then direct attention and instruction is |
| participate. Let's use organized sports as an example. | | | | recommended. Places that offer this are usually |
| At a young age, the rules and mechanics of any sport | | | | summer camps directly related to the sport of choice. |
| can be confusing. This could lead to spending most of | | | | Most camps provide an assessment of your child's |
| the play time trying to figure out what to do instead of | | | | ability and knowledge, then apply direct instruction to |
| actually doing it. | | | | enhance the abilities or knowledge as needed. Once |
| When I was young and playing outfield in baseball, | | | | your child takes on this education and instruction from |
| there were times when I would hope the batter didn't | | | | the camp professionals, his or her confidence will show |
| hit the ball to me because I didn't know where the | | | | the next sports season. |
| optimal place would be to throw it if there were a | | | | After my summer camp in between little league |
| couple runners already on base. This only happened a | | | | baseball seasons, I was ready to go. The camp |
| few times before I brought it up with my coach and | | | | professionals had taught me everything about the |
| we then ran scenarios for everyone during every | | | | sport, the mechanics, the terminology, everything. I |
| future practice. This built my knowledge and | | | | came back next season ready to take on the |
| confidence about the game and the "what if" situations | | | | opposing team by myself! Obviously that can't be |
| so I played my best instead of the worry of failing. | | | | done, luckily I had learned the craft of being a |
| If your child has the knowledge, tools and ability to mix | | | | supportive team player and having good |
| fun with learning, his or her confidence will be just fine. | | | | sportsmanship. I had several regular game and |
| Unfortunately, there are some cases where your child | | | | practice attendees explain to me how they saw a |
| may seem like they're holding back from using the | | | | huge difference after my summer sports camp. |
| abilities and skills that you know they have, maybe | | | | My performance increase was definitely caused by |
| they seem like they're following the rest of the team | | | | the confidence boost. Had I not gone through the |
| instead of being a part of it or leading. If you see the | | | | training and education, I would have still been holding |
| your child lagging behind, it most definitely does not hurt | | | | back and trying not to make mistakes. Do your |
| to ask the child what you can do to help. In most | | | | research, find a local summer sports camp and ask |
| cases it is definitely an issue of interest (is your child | | | | your child if he or she would like to attend. The sports |
| interested in the sport) or confidence in the sport. | | | | coaching and training will give them the boost they |
| Obviously you cannot force interest, but you can | | | | need for next season. |