If you’re the parent of a young athlete, then “physical literacy” is probably a term that you have heard a lot. However, if you’re like
most sports parents, you may not be entirely clear on what it means or how it
applies to your child.
Basically, physical literacy means understanding that
physical activity is important and that it provides value, more than just
physical value, to everday life. Because this is such an important concept,
especially given all of the overweight and obese people in the United States
today, it is important to instill physical literacy at an early age. You can
help to do this by engaging youir child in athletics at a young age, which you
are probably already doing. However, there are also other things that you can
do to grow and encourage physical literacy.
Grow Motivation and Confidence
To start off with, one of the most important parts of
growing physical literacy is motivation and confidence. A child will not likely
thrive and become more physically active without the right encouragment.
So, as a parent, do everything you can to motivate your
child to get outside and active, to go to practices and games, and to just be
active in general. Reward and encourage physical activity of any sort.
No matter what activity your child is into, whether it’s
sports or dance, the more you can do to approve of and encourage this interest,
the better.
Set a Good Example
In addition to motivation, make sure you are setting a good
example yourself.
If you want your child to be active, in other words, be active yourself! Get up and play with your child. Do things outdoors with him or her.
Also, make an effort to eat a healthy diet, one that complements a physically active life, at home.
The more of an example you are, the more likely it is that
physical literacy will really “stick” with your child.
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