Critical Life Lessons from Early Exercise
Date Added: April 26, 2008 12:48:18 AM
We have stated that comprehension of words precedes articulation. Being verbal with your child using adult words begins the development process.
The inculcation of values is a more subtle but nevertheless a vital part of your child's development through early physical activities and sports.
- Use encouragement, not criticism. This will develop a measure of confidence. If you use a critical approach, unfortunately, your child will incorporate condemnation into his interpersonal repertoire.
- Kids have bad days and may backslide from better days and performances. Don't be hostile or communicate anger. If they become fearful of underperforming against your elevated expectations, they will hate exercise and sports. They will also incorporate the use of anger, even rage, into their own responses to others who don't measure up. You might even find it is directed back at you.
- You cannot ridicule someone into performance. That only teaches that smaller or subordinate people can be used to act out your aggressive fantasies or act as a abused object on a bad day. If you are tolerant, your child will learn to be patient and encouraging.
- Make it fun, not work. Successful adults succeed at what they like and what is for them fun.
- Exercise programs with friends are fun and can create a sense of sharing.
- While you should be encouraging, you also need to positively point how they could do better. Teach them how to appraise their own performance in a non-threatening and rationally controlled fashion. Self diagnostics in sports are critical. Taking instruction without feeling threatened is critical to advancement.
So, while you are trying to develop the body, you are also developing language skill and the values of trust, confidence, patience, honesty, sharing, accepting instruction, self-worth, leadership style (from you), and much more.
