Tips for Parents/Athletes
SUPPORTING YOUR ATHLETE
Parents,
Having a student athlete is rewarding and sometimes stressful. Below you fill find information that should help your child and you get more out of the sport!
Sleep/Rest
Does your kiddo wake up without an alarm? Does he or she feel rested and energized upon waking? If not, lack of sleep could be the cause!
Here are some tips for helping your child get the adequate amount of sleep:
What about Nutrition?One of the most overlooked areas of training by young athletes is nutrition. Often times, young runners will continue to eat the same "junk" that their friends who aren't training eat. When that happens, the fuel that they need to train is very limited and the body does not perform at the optimal level. During training, young athletes will need to increase their caloric intake to supplement the calories they are burning. Please see the link 'Nutritional Guidelines' on this site for a detailed chart or how many calories young runners need.Be a MotivatorAs a parent, your child looks to you (whether it appears so or not) for encouragement and support. The words you use and and the habits you demonstrate play a crucial role in your child's success as a student-athlete. Below are some tips for motivating your kiddo:
Parents,
Having a student athlete is rewarding and sometimes stressful. Below you fill find information that should help your child and you get more out of the sport!
Sleep/Rest
Does your kiddo wake up without an alarm? Does he or she feel rested and energized upon waking? If not, lack of sleep could be the cause!
Here are some tips for helping your child get the adequate amount of sleep:
- Eliminate caffeinated beverages 4 hours before bedtime.
- Think about setting a nightly schedule on weekdays that will allow enough time for homework. Then, stick to it! Time can usually be found by limiting T.V. and other electronic use. Often times, a 20 minute homework session can turn into 40 minutes because of all the unnecessary interruptions.
- Set an alarm to remind your child to go to sleep. If you have an older child, he or she can set the alarm.
- Sleep in on weekends, or take naps when feeling tired.
What about Nutrition?One of the most overlooked areas of training by young athletes is nutrition. Often times, young runners will continue to eat the same "junk" that their friends who aren't training eat. When that happens, the fuel that they need to train is very limited and the body does not perform at the optimal level. During training, young athletes will need to increase their caloric intake to supplement the calories they are burning. Please see the link 'Nutritional Guidelines' on this site for a detailed chart or how many calories young runners need.Be a MotivatorAs a parent, your child looks to you (whether it appears so or not) for encouragement and support. The words you use and and the habits you demonstrate play a crucial role in your child's success as a student-athlete. Below are some tips for motivating your kiddo:
- Figure out and tap into what motivates your child.
- Find out if your child is running for health reasons or competitive ones. Once you understand your child's motivation for running, you can tailor your support to benefit him or her psychologically.
- Encourage Goal-setting!
- Often times, if a young athlete sets reasonable goals, he or she is more likely to succeed.
- Goals should be SMART.
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Results-focused
- Timely
- Once you understand your child's goals, discuss them frequently with your child.
- Be a Role Model
- Make sure you are setting goals, working hard, and staying committed in your life so that your child sees a positive example of mental fitness. Share your frustrations and successes with your child. Often times they see the result you have achieved but missed the process you had to go through to get that result.
- Push Them to Safe Limits
- It's ok to encourage your child to put more effort into training and competition as long as you are aware of situations that pose risks of injury.