Parents play a big part in how young athletes feel motivated, especially when it comes to two kinds of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Let’s explore what these mean and why they are important.
Intrinsic Motivation: This comes from inside the athlete. It includes a real love for the sport and personal goals. For example, a kid might play soccer just because they enjoy kicking the ball and having fun with friends. This kind of motivation helps them stick to it and feel satisfied.
Extrinsic Motivation: This type is driven by outside things, like rewards, recognition, or wanting parents to be proud. For example, a young athlete might want to win a medal or earn a scholarship. Here, they are motivated more by the awards than by enjoying the sport itself.
Parents have a strong impact on how much intrinsic and extrinsic motivation their kids have. Here’s how they can make a difference:
Encouragement vs. Pressure: When parents cheer for their kids to enjoy the game, it helps build intrinsic motivation. But if parents push hard for winning, it can make kids feel stressed and less excited about the sport.
Setting Expectations: Parents often have hopes based on what they want or what others expect. If they focus too much on winning instead of having fun and getting better, kids may think their worth depends on outside success. For example, if a parent always talks about winning games instead of enjoying playing, the child may start caring more about results than the fun of the sport.
Feedback and Recognition: How parents give feedback is very important. Praising kids for trying hard and enjoying what they do helps build intrinsic motivation. For instance, if a parent applauds a child for practicing well, rather than just celebrating game scores, it encourages them to take pride in their efforts.
Having a good mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is key for the happiness of young athletes. Here are some ideas for parents:
Encourage Choices: Let kids pick their sports, set their own goals, and create their practice plans. This gives them a sense of control and makes it more fun.
Teach a Growth Mindset: Help kids understand that getting better comes from effort and learning, not just winning. This helps them be strong and value hard work.
Celebrate All Achievements: Focus on the fun of being involved in sports, celebrating things other than just winning, like making new friends or learning a new skill.
By knowing how their words and actions can shape motivation, parents can help young athletes find a love for sports that lasts a lifetime.
Parents play a big part in how young athletes feel motivated, especially when it comes to two kinds of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Let’s explore what these mean and why they are important.
Intrinsic Motivation: This comes from inside the athlete. It includes a real love for the sport and personal goals. For example, a kid might play soccer just because they enjoy kicking the ball and having fun with friends. This kind of motivation helps them stick to it and feel satisfied.
Extrinsic Motivation: This type is driven by outside things, like rewards, recognition, or wanting parents to be proud. For example, a young athlete might want to win a medal or earn a scholarship. Here, they are motivated more by the awards than by enjoying the sport itself.
Parents have a strong impact on how much intrinsic and extrinsic motivation their kids have. Here’s how they can make a difference:
Encouragement vs. Pressure: When parents cheer for their kids to enjoy the game, it helps build intrinsic motivation. But if parents push hard for winning, it can make kids feel stressed and less excited about the sport.
Setting Expectations: Parents often have hopes based on what they want or what others expect. If they focus too much on winning instead of having fun and getting better, kids may think their worth depends on outside success. For example, if a parent always talks about winning games instead of enjoying playing, the child may start caring more about results than the fun of the sport.
Feedback and Recognition: How parents give feedback is very important. Praising kids for trying hard and enjoying what they do helps build intrinsic motivation. For instance, if a parent applauds a child for practicing well, rather than just celebrating game scores, it encourages them to take pride in their efforts.
Having a good mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is key for the happiness of young athletes. Here are some ideas for parents:
Encourage Choices: Let kids pick their sports, set their own goals, and create their practice plans. This gives them a sense of control and makes it more fun.
Teach a Growth Mindset: Help kids understand that getting better comes from effort and learning, not just winning. This helps them be strong and value hard work.
Celebrate All Achievements: Focus on the fun of being involved in sports, celebrating things other than just winning, like making new friends or learning a new skill.
By knowing how their words and actions can shape motivation, parents can help young athletes find a love for sports that lasts a lifetime.