How can I motivate my child to Spot?

Not in the mood for sports? This is how you bring activity into everyday life

Kind zum Sport motivieren | Kind fährt Laufrad

Walk or cycle more often

Simply turn the daily trip to kindergarten and shopping into a a short walk or a bike ride. Your child gets exercise and at the same time there is plenty of exciting things to see and discover even on the shortest route.

Incorporate activity into the daily routine

If you short activity sessions when you incorporate short activity sessions naturally into everyday life, most children don't even realize they're 'doing sport'. A walk together after lunch, dancing to favorite music, or even half an hour of ball playing in the garden are simply experienced by many children as time spent together and enjoy it all the more.

Classic: children's gymnastics

In children's gymnastics groups it's not just gymnastics – usually the focus is on playing and climbing on various pieces of equipment, with balls, ropes or other accessories in the foreground. Often these are open groups that parents and children can attend as they please.

Provide child-friendly incentives for physical activity

A Bobby Car, a tricycle or a balance bike motivate most children all on their own, to move. Almost all of these vehicles can also be easily taken outside, where 'zipping around' is even more fun. Also sports equipment such as inline skates, a soccer ball or a trampoline are a great incentive to try things out. It's important not to leave children who are reluctant to be active on their own. Take part, help them learn the new movements, and don't forget to praise their successes.

Take advantage of trial sessions

Many sports clubs or schools offer free trial sessions so that children can try them out once or twice to see if they like a sport. For popular sports like soccer, dance, swimming or riding, there are often groups for very young children.

Checklist:

Here's how you can motivate your child to be active:

Just play: It doesn't have to be a team sport or athletics – any form of movement benefits children, even if they play tag in the garden or let off steam on the playground
Consider their interests: Some children like running, others are real water lovers, and others prefer to be active together in play – find out what suits your child
Provide support: It doesn't always fit well into your own schedule when the child has to be driven to and picked up from soccer practice or the swim club. Nevertheless, you should support your child's sporting interests as far as possible
Join in yourself: If parents lead by example, that's enough motivation for many children. Playing soccer together, cycling or even a long walk in the woods is also valuable family time
No lofty goals: Sporting performance should take a back seat – what's important is that your child enjoys being active and can push themselves according to their abilities
No scolding: Avoid lectures about how healthy sports are or that your child needs exercise. Playing around together in the garden or prompts in the form of a new ball or a pair of inline skates usually work more effectively.