5 Ways to Get Your Child into Winter Sports
Cold weather and short days tend to make children inactive during winter times. A cozy and comfortable atmosphere at home combined with smartphone apps and social media can make all of us a bit physically inactive and lazy. However, it is not a secret that physical activity is really important especially at earlier child development stages.
That being said, winter sports aren’t just a great way to keep your children active during the cold winter times. In addition, these sports are a great way to spend some quality time with the family outdoors. So, find some smart solutions for making your children into winter sports here.
The Choice
If you don’t know which sport your child would like to try, it is a good idea to play some videos of different winter sports for your child. This might make the young ones grow interested in a certain winter sport. Keep in mind that most winter sports will ask for parental presence and parental consent since they can get risky.
Start Slow
The first and most important thing that you have to know is that nothing can happen overnight. Therefore pushing your children can lead to negative outcomes. Parents should start slow and hope for gradual progress. One of the best ways to get your children into winter sports is to allow them to learn and practice through socializing. For example, signing up your kid for group lessons can be quite helpful. It will give them a chance to stay active while socializing with children of similar ages.
Safety First
Winter sports tend to be dangerous due to the high speeds they involve. Therefore, fear can be one of the factors why your child might not be interested. As the risks of crashes and injuries are significantly higher, you will need to help your child understand the consequences. However, even if the “Safety First” motto should be instilled into the children’s mind, you should be careful not to make them frightened.
As suggested by the experts, investing in safety equipment for your child is a must. The size of your child’s helmet is one of the most important things to look out for.
Expect Falls
No matter what sport your child prefers, falling is an inevitable part of almost all types of sports. Some winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are fairly forgiving at younger ages. Due to the children’s flexibility, the lightweight, and the fact that they are closer to the ground, the risk of getting hurt is minimal. That is if adequate safety gear is worn.
On the other hand, if your child would like to start skating there is a higher risk of falling.
Experts recommend that parents first teach their kids how to fall because this will largely lower the risk of injury. Slips and falls will eventually happen and they have to learn to dust themselves off, stand up and try again.
Have Fun
Even if your child doesn’t show much progress right away just remember that it’s not about competing, it’s about having fun with your family. Winter sports can teach your child a lot about perseverance, which will over-time lead to boosting their self-esteem. If your kid doesn’t like the sport, don’t get discouraged as they can always try something else the next time. But always have in mind that your child’s happiness and having fun with your family is what actually matters.