Playing on a Team
There will be times in which your child participates in an athletic activity as a member of a team, either by choice or as dictated by the structure of a class, like gym class in school. Being the member of a team can require that your child juggle a lot of things at once. It can quickly get confusing, perhaps for some of the following reasons:
Although the team sport has rules, the activity is unpredictable.
In the chaos and excitement, your child may forget the rules.
Noise from spectators or teammates can make staying focused difficult.
Your child may forget exactly who her teammates are.
Your child may get disoriented about the location to score points.
Ways to alleviate some of these issues are to ensure that your child's teammates are distinguished in some way (usually by different-colored jerseys). Take time to go to the playing area prior to a game to familiarize your child with the surroundings, such as where the team will play, where spectators will be seated, and the location of the area where the team scores points. Being able to practice a team-sport skill at home with you or siblings or friends can only help her develop confidence in her capabilities. She may simultaneously improve her ability to absorb and assimilate all that the game entails in a comfortable, unconditional environment.
Essential
Encouraging your child to participate in team sports may require “prerequisites” prior to sign-up. Simultaneous with your child's participation in self-contained, noncompetitive physical activities, facilitate opportunities for reciprocal interactions early on, such as sharing and taking turns during computer or board games. This may be useful in aiding your child to better understand the way team sports “work.”
