Sport for Kids

Copyright © 2008 Nancy Rishworth

Why is it important to be flexible? Many people think of flexibility as something that results from a sport or exercise routine, such as yoga, pilates, ballet, gymnastics, etc. But flexibility is an important part of everyday life.

Flexibility improves strength and overall good health. When you get more flexible, you will find that you have a greater range of motion, that you are able to perform tasks with greater ease, and you’ll suffer fewer injuries.

Best of all, flexibility can add a great deal to your success in sports. If you are an avid golfer, swimmer, love to play basketball, baseball, or volleyball, you’ll be amazed at how your performance changes when you focus your efforts to get more flexible.

You can improve your flexibility by adding static and dynamic flexibility exercises to your daily routine. Static flexibility exercises are slow, constant stretching of muscles, held for at least 30 seconds. Some examples of static flexibility exercises include calf stretches and ham string stretches. Static stretches can also incorporate isometric and PNF stretching techniques to considerably increase their effectiveness.

Dynamic flexibility exercises use muscle movement to increase your range of motion. Typically these exercises - examples include leg and arm swings, side bends, toe touches - are initially performed at low to moderate speeds, with a controlled motion. Gradually, over time you will be able to increase your range of movement, extend further, and increase speed.

Both static and dynamic flexibility exercises work at lengthening the connective tissues that surround your muscles. This lengthening of the tissues provides an increase in your ability to extend your arms or legs in a natural movement. This movement is termed your range of motion. As you improve your flexibility, you’ll find that it becomes easier to move your joints - knees, shoulders, elbows, etc. You’ll also be able to move these joints to a greater length or extend them further.

When you make an effort to get more flexible, you’ll notice improvements in your everyday life and in your sports. You’ll be able to swim faster, throw balls further, have a greater controlled and stronger golf swing, and jump higher. Increased flexibility will pay off even if you aren’t active in sports. As you work to get more flexible, you’ll notice common household tasks, such as vacuuming, yard work, and lifting, all become easier to do. You’ll notice that your overall strength and endurance has increased.

As you work to get more flexible, you’ll suffer fewer injuries, your posture will improve and your muscles won’t be as sore when you exert yourself or exercise. Flexibility pays off big - it’s not just for gymnasts.

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Nancy Rishworth, grew up dancing and became a qualified Aerobics and Fitness & Personal Trainer. She is also a qualified Naturopath having studied various healing modalities through healthy eating, herbal remedies, vitamins, massage & exercise. Her Flexibilty Plus Workout Program improves flexibility, strength and overall health. For nutritional info and other core strength and cardio exercise tips and guidelines go to www.FlexibilityPlus.com

Camps at Mt. Seymour helps four- to seven-year-olds conquer the mini hills

Joanna Habdank, North Shore News
Published: Sunday, December 28, 2008

The baby of the family has taken her first steps, said the important words, then sentences, and is eager for more challenges.

She’s ready for the next big first, and on the North Shore that often means skiing or snowboarding lessons.

This season Mt. Seymour is offering Bear Cubs camps for children four to seven years old.

In these small classes, with an average ration of three to four children per instructor, kids are gently eased to taking their first runs as they slowly gain more confidence on the snow, says Jonathan Mosley, ski and snowboard school manager at the local mountain.

“The key focus is to get them out on snow and actually start developing the skills that will allow them to start exploring with their parents or brothers or sisters as they grow up,” says Mosley.

The classes are an hour and a half, beginning with a fun warm up, he says.
One of first things the wee ones learn is the ability to stop and do basic turns, says Mosley.

They stay in the Bear Bowl area using the magic carpet, which is a 42-foot long lift used specifically for the little beginners. Then they move on to the larger lifts.
“An average child, after four days, has probably progressed to our beginner lift, the Goldie Rope Tow, a typical green run, and doing exercises, (such as a) little slalom,” says Mosley.

Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle for children just learning is simply getting used to the equipment.

“Kids that are four, five, six are still growing quite quickly and developing their coordination,” says Mosley.

“It’s a challenge for them to adapt to having skis or snow boots.
“Once they’ve made the jump to being able to control their skis, then they progress quite quickly.”

Those tots that do pick up on the skills quicker, notes Mosley, can split off into a separate group and ski or snowboard in the terrain that best suits their abilities.
“This is a very popular program, a lot of children come back to do other programs.
“They start when they are four and they keep doing it until they are six or seven,” says Mosley.

Registration is required at least three days prior to lessons.
The four-day camp costs $198 plus another $40 with rentals.
They run every Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 10 until Mar. 22.
Classes start at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. on the weekend, and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
The mountain also offers a wide range of programs for older children including freestyle camp (ages 10 to 15), day riders (ages nine to 13), mountain riders (ages seven to 12) and free riders (ages 13 to 16), as well as adult programs.
For more information call 604-986-2261 or go online at www.mountseymour.com

Here’s a fun article I read a couple of years ago in Sports Illustrated for Kids. I found it very amusing and yet so true. So here goes:

You may not want to hear this but…most kids have a lot to say about their parents ‘ involvement in their sports lives, especially what they don’t like about it. Here is our Top 10 list of kids’ advice for parents , gleaned from comments by S.I. FOR KIDS readers.

1 - During car rides to games or practice, kids don’t want you to tell them how to do this or that. “I am not stupid,” said one 12-year-old. “I know how to play the sport I play.”

2 - Kids can get psyched for a game without your help. “I hate when parents say, ‘Are you ready? We’re going to win,’ like they’re playing,” said one kid.

3 - It’s your duty as a parent to sit quietly and watch your kids do wonderful things. Kids get bummed out when you miss games or yak it up too much with friends in the stands. “We’re sweating and playing the game, and they’re busy socializing,” complained one girl.

4 - If you don’t know what you’re talking about, kids don’t want you to talk. Typical comments: ” Parents think they know the rules, but they don’t.” “My mom asks annoying questions.” And “I hate when my mom tells me to do things even when she doesn’t know the first thing about sports .”

5 - Even if you do know what you’re talking about, kids don’t want you to talk (unless you’re the coach). “I hate when parents tell us to do the exact opposite of what the coaches say,” said one child. Added another: “If your parent isn’t the coach, he or she shouldn’t try to be one.”

6 - Kids wish you would practice what you preach about sportsmanship. “My mom always wants me to be a ‘good sport,’ but a lot of the time she blames the loss on the ref,” claimed one kid.
“Arguing with the refs is not only embarrassing, but it takes up time,” said another.

7 - Kids often can’t hear you yelling when they’re concentrating on the game. Sometimes, they can. Either way, they don’t like it. ” Parents yell advice you don’t hear because you’re so into playing the game. Afterward they say, ‘Why didn’t you listen to me?’ ” complained one child.
Said others: “I feel embarrassed when my parents yell so loud that the whole town can hear,” and “They yell and scream and look like dorks.”

8 - After they lose, kids don’t want to be told it doesn’t matter. Typical reactions: “I hate when we get knocked out of the playoffs and my parents say, ‘You’ll get them next time!’ ” and “When parents try to cheer you up after a loss, all they do is remind you of the score.”

9 - After they lose, kids don’t want to be told that it does matter. ” Parents take losses harder than we do,” wrote one boy. Advised one girl: “You win some, you lose some, no big deal! Get over it!”

10 - Kids just want to have fun. Parents just don’t get this, kids say. Many kids say they would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench on a winning one. Some would like to skip practice once in a while. “The thing that bugs me the most is that my parents take it too seriously,” summed up one child. “They act like it’s school.”

Today, I will talk to you about the thin line between pushing too much and teaching perseverance with your kid’s sport.

At first, let me make it clear: you should never force children to practice a sport or an activity that they don’t like neither to force them to go beyond where they are willing to go.

Sounds obvious like that but it is scary how many parents I saw in my career that where seeing their son or daughter as the winner they never were or as the champion that they always wished to be. Do not forget: YOU ARE NOT DOING THE SPORT, YOUR KID IS!

Oh, we all know some success stories about a young gymnast who made it to the Olympics or a tennis player who turned pro early despite their tyrannical parents. But for 1 kid who made it, how many childhoods were broken? Thousands? Tens of thousands? Let kids be kids. If your kid is good and has the talent and the mind to go far, he will, with or without you. When I am talking to parents, I always say: “It is tough for a parent to help their kids to achieve success while it is so easy to make them fail!” Let me refer to the Issue #1 of Sports & Kids Newsletter for a humoristic but very true list of some “Don’t”.

Now, you will ask me: “Ok Mario, that is nice, do not push your children. Yeah, yeah! But I don’t want my son or daughter to be a quitter, to always look for the easy way out when things are tough.” Yep, you’re right! You know the old saying: “When the going get tough, the tough get going!” As parents we all want our kids to be among the toughs. This is absolutely normal. But who said it is easy to be a parent?

First, it depends on the age of the children. Between 3 and 5 years old, we usually decide where we sign them up. Sometimes, if they have older brothers and sisters they might tell you: “I wanna play soccer” or “I wanna do cartwheels like my sister” but usually it is the parent’s decision. We are usually influenced by neighbors, family, and local publicity. And of course, since it is our decision and not theirs, the chances to get it wrong are larger. You have to watch carefully your kid’s attitude. Do not get too worried when they complain when you interrupt their playing time to go the swimming lesson or the soccer game. It is normal and usually has more to do with the fact that they have to stop their actual playing. As soon as they realize that they will be playing somewhere else they will be happy again. But if they are still complaining even when they are practicing their sport then you should start asking yourself questions. If it is a fight every time, do not hesitate and try something else. Do not wait too long. They will not become quitters at this time. They just want to have fun at this age. Most organizations have a refund policy, ask for it at the sign-up.

Older kids usually choose their activities. They are usually influenced by friends or by something that caught their attention on TV like in big events or professional sports finals. Olympics have a big influence in sports recruiting. Most sports represented in the Olympics know an increase in their recruiting in an Olympic year. Even more when a local athlete wins. For older kids that choose their own sport, make it clear right at the beginning: “If you sign up, you stay until the end of the season”. This is called “keeping your engagements”. It is important that they learn to make the proper choices and assume the responsibilities that go with it. Let’s take a basketball team for example. The kid signs up in a team with a limited number of players. Maybe the organization even refused some inscriptions because the team was full. If a player decides to quit after 2 or 3 weeks because “he doesn’t like it anymore” or because “they lost the first 3 games”, it is the whole team that is affected by his decision. So think about your choice and keep your word. If you think you didn’t make the right choice then do not reenter yourself at the next session.

Also, at the beginning, validate your child’s ambition. Does he want just to have fun, spend time with his friend and practice the sport just for the fun of it? Does he want to be good at it and perform at the highest level he can go? Or maybe he really wants to make it to the Olympics? 

Whatever the ambition is will guide you in the perseverance matter. If he is serious about being good and competing at the highest level then he has to be willing to make some sacrifices and you will have to be a little more “pushy” and insist a little more because sometimes it will be tougher than other times and sometimes he will loose and get discouraged. These are not good reasons to quit. “Au contraire”, these should be times to increase the athlete’s efforts. This is where the line between teaching perseverance and pushing too much is getting thinner and thinner. But good communication is always the best way to know where is this line. You know, there ARE good reasons to call it quit and you should always aim for your children’s happiness first. Do not forget, your son is not a basketball player, he’s your son. Your daughter is not a gymnast, she’s your daughter. And do not forget that you might have other kids in your family, that are not doing sports and who also need your love. You might laugh but I saw it quite often. All the family focus is around the youngest daughter who wins tennis tournaments and the brothers and sisters do not exist. Sad.

Finally, to make it short (because I can talk about it for hours), always verify where you sign up your children. Is it a serious organization with a clean history? Who are the coaches, the volunteers? What are there background? Do they have criminal records? Yes, I’m serious, criminal records! As a parent, you are allowed, and you HAVE to verify this because you are going to entrust the most precious thing in your life to this person and sometimes for more than 20 hours a week for high level athletes. Be twice as careful with male coaches and volunteers. This might sounds like a prejudice but it’s a fact; when we hear about horror stories, 80% of the time it is a man.

Well, on this bright note ;-)) I say that’s it for now. And don’t let the last paragraph scares you. 99.9% of the organizations and volunteers are great with kids and you should encourage your kids to do some sport. With all those bad news about overweight kids in North America, we owe it to them to make sure to will live long and healthy.

Good bye and take care of your kids!