How to help a kid who isn't good at sports

[Anonymous]

My brothers and DH and BIL were nerds but academic superstars and the sports they did were: golf, tennis, cross country, track, squash, skiing and crew. They all got into Ivy or similar. They all went to schools where academics was #1 and that's what gave you status. Maybe for middle and high school, it'll help to send your DS to a school like that.

Try different sports and find one your DS really likes and focus on that. In the long run, it only matters that your DS has fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At his age he (and all kids) should know how to throw a ball, catch a ball, shoot a hoop, kick a ball, hit a ball.

Says who?

Yes, exactly! Apparently PP has never heard of the bell curve.

The kid is 10. Yes, really everyone should be able to do those things at age 10. They are basic PE skills. I am amazed at how many parents never do anything physical with their kids. They sign their kids up for activities but never play with them. I coached my son's rec soccer team when he was 6. I was amazed that a couple of kids couldn't kick a stationary ball 10 feet. By the end of the season one kid improved tremendously. He still couldn't play as well as the other kids, but he was getting the hang of soccer. I asked the kid if his parents ever kicked a ball with him at home or at the park before he played soccer and he said "no, never". He added that his parents never played any sports with him. That kid who had potential is now in third grade with my son. I asked my son if he plays sports with the boys at recess. He told me no because the boy doesn't really know how. If the parents took him to the park once a week or played with him in the backyard he would be doing fine now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At his age he (and all kids) should know how to throw a ball, catch a ball, shoot a hoop, kick a ball, hit a ball.

Says who?

Yes, exactly! Apparently PP has never heard of the bell curve.

The kid is 10. Yes, really everyone should be able to do those things at age 10. They are basic PE skills. I am amazed at how many parents never do anything physical with their kids. They sign their kids up for activities but never play with them. I coached my son's rec soccer team when he was 6. I was amazed that a couple of kids couldn't kick a stationary ball 10 feet. By the end of the season one kid improved tremendously. He still couldn't play as well as the other kids, but he was getting the hang of soccer. I asked the kid if his parents ever kicked a ball with him at home or at the park before he played soccer and he said "no, never". He added that his parents never played any sports with him. That kid who had potential is now in third grade with my son. I asked my son if he plays sports with the boys at recess. He told me no because the boy doesn't really know how. If the parents took him to the park once a week or played with him in the backyard he would be doing fine now.

I agree, at 10 a boy should know how to do these things, so should girls, IMO. It's just a part of childhood, like riding a bike. But at 6? I don't think a 6 yr old needs to know how to kick a soccer ball 10 ft. I think kids do need to learn these things because if the kid has friends that want to go bike riding or play soccer, and your child doesn't know how to, then your child will feel left out. However, some parents who put their kids in sports activities don't really care if the kid is good at it or not, so the parents don't bother going outside and playing them or honing the kid's skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At his age he (and all kids) should know how to throw a ball, catch a ball, shoot a hoop, kick a ball, hit a ball.

Says who?

Yes, exactly! Apparently PP has never heard of the bell curve.

The kid is 10. Yes, really everyone should be able to do those things at age 10. They are basic PE skills. I am amazed at how many parents never do anything physical with their kids. They sign their kids up for activities but never play with them. I coached my son's rec soccer team when he was 6. I was amazed that a couple of kids couldn't kick a stationary ball 10 feet. By the end of the season one kid improved tremendously. He still couldn't play as well as the other kids, but he was getting the hang of soccer. I asked the kid if his parents ever kicked a ball with him at home or at the park before he played soccer and he said "no, never". He added that his parents never played any sports with him. That kid who had potential is now in third grade with my son. I asked my son if he plays sports with the boys at recess. He told me no because the boy doesn't really know how. If the parents took him to the park once a week or played with him in the backyard he would be doing fine now.

It never ceases to amaze me when I come across people like you. As if somehow it doesn't count as an "activity" unless there's a ball involved.

My son is involved in martial arts, practices parkour, does tricks on the trampoline, climbs, goes mountain biking etc. etc. etc. He's lost on the ball field, and I for one am perfectly happy for it..

[Anonymous]

What can I do to encourage my husband to play with my elementary-aged sons? Husband is more interested in napping or iPadding. I've tried to talk to him about this to no avail.

[Anonymous]

Sign him up for a rec team somewhere in a sport -- AWAY from his normal buddies. He'll get more "real game" experience, hopefully build some confidence. And if he's still not very good at it, well, that's OK, and he hasn't tipped his hand to his friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS7 is not "good" at traditional sports (soccer, basketball, etc). We put him in Taekwondo to build confidence and help him "think on his feet" (sparring). Swimming is a good individual sport that we insist upon for safety and fitness.

Because your son is unhappy, I like the other suggestions of a rec facility/ class just to build some skills. Seriously, consider Taekwondo- I have seen it make a huge difference for so many kids. Eventually, your son could go to tournaments and compete.

So true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What can I do to encourage my husband to play with my elementary-aged sons? Husband is more interested in napping or iPadding. I've tried to talk to him about this to no avail.

Do you play outside with your kids? If you do never mind. If you don't and why are you waiting for your husband to do it? Learn to shoot baskets with them or kick a ball or go on a hike with them

[Anonymous]

My DS is 10 and has no trouble declaring "I don't like sports." He is fine socially and does great in school. Does not cause him any anxiety at all to admit who he is. Doesn't bother me, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What can I do to encourage my husband to play with my elementary-aged sons? Husband is more interested in napping or iPadding. I've tried to talk to him about this to no avail.

Why can't you do it? Physical activity is not just for dads. Women can keep up with elementary-aged boys, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is 10 and has no trouble declaring "I don't like sports." He is fine socially and does great in school. Does not cause him any anxiety at all to admit who he is. Doesn't bother me, either.

This is how my 8 yo is, too. And he's friends with the athletic boys; I imagine it helps, in a way, that he has no desire to participate when they are playing sports. So it's not like he's trying to keep up.