Olympics may lead kids into sport, but parents can help keep them on track, expert says
'In some families, we get some initial inspiration but maybe not the follow-through'
Seeing Canada's elite athletes compete — whether in the recent Rio Olympics or the upcoming Paralympics — can be inspiring to many young Canadians, leading kids to want to get off the couch and try something new. But that inspiration does not always reach the finish line.
"Every two years [we] get this great momentum and attention on physical activity and sports, which is fantastic," Shaunna Taylor, co-chair of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia's school of kinesiology, told Metro Morning.
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"In some families, we get some initial inspiration, but maybe not the follow-through," she added.
Taylor said much of this drop-off comes from kids not being sure of what sport they want to participate in and parents being hesitant to make substantial financial investments due to that indecision.
"[Kids watch] four days of taekwondo and now they're convinced at age seven they're going to be the world's next taekwondo champion," she said. "The reality is many kids are going to have to sample many, many, many sports over the course of their childhood into their teens until they've found one they're really, truly a great fit with."
In making that decision, Taylor said lesser-known sports are often overlooked in favour of mass-participation team sports, like soccer or hockey, which some kids might not be to too keen on.
"There are tons of individual sports you may have never even considered, something like rock-climbing or orienteering," she said, adding dance can also fall under that umbrella.
"Just a whole host of non-traditional sports you might want to explore as a family."
But what about the financial cost?
"Contact your community centre and take a look at some of their give-it-a-go days. Or they might have camps or after-school drop-in programs that don't require a huge monetary investment up front," said Taylor.
"If they saw a couple of sports in the Olympics that seem to strike their fancy, go for it — one or two days or couple week trials," she said. "If they have a liking for it, you can think of a longer investment into the program."
Physiological and social benefits
Aside from winning medals and encouraging exercise, Taylor said participation in sports has many other benefits for children, ranging from physiological to social.
"One thing that parents aren't aware of that is so important and that is on its decline in Canada is something called child physical literacy," she said, explaining it is the development of fundamental movements that kids need, such as running, hopping and jumping.
"With lower levels of activity and sports involvement, kids' levels of physical literacy are on decline."
Sports can also help kids learn the value of sharing and listening to criticism, as well as putting their own needs behind those of their teammates.
"Their immediate gratification might have to go to the side if they are doing a far-off goal that's important for the program," said Taylor.