Teach Your Child to be a Good Sport

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Teach your child good sportsmanship

As a Kindysport Coach, we play a critical role in teaching children the importance of maintaining the fundamental values of good sportsmanship. These values are essential not just to sports, but to the social fabric of our entire society. We aim to help kids enjoy the game by focusing on values that will help them in and out of the game. This helps children develop character.

What are Sportsmanship Values

The following values demonstrate good sportsmanship:

Enthusiasm – Showing Enthusiasm means that you are showing excitement for what you are doing.

Communication – You might think that communication means talking. But in order to be a good communicator, you must also be a good listener.

Fair Play – Fair play is about taking turns, being polite and playing by the rules.

Determination – Determination means being focussed on achieving something and never giving up. It means that you are trying your best at all times.

Humility – Humility means not showing off or trying to make yourself seem better than everyone else.  Having Humility also means that when you win, you do not brag or rub it in or show off.

Respect – Respect is how you treat yourself and how you treat others. Showing respect to someone means you act in a way that shows you care about their feelings and well-being.

Unselfishness – Unselfishness means putting other people first and not always thinking about yourself and what you want.

Co-operation – Co-operation means working together with others as a member of a group to accomplish a goal. It means acting like a true team player.

Parents Responsibility

Parent’s play a crucial role in modelling good sportsmanship to their children. This applies not only to how parent’s play their game, but also how parent’s conduct themselves on the sidelines of their child’s sport. ‘Ugly Parent Syndrome’ is a big problem in junior sport, with too many examples of negative or derogatory language aimed at officials, coaches, children or other parents. It’s important parent’s support and encourage their child to make it the best possible experience for their child.

Tips for Encouraging Good Sportsmanship

  • In the practices or games, watch for instances when your child exhibits the right kinds of behaviour. Recognize frequently and openly. Make a big deal of giving positive feedback!
  • Make the discussion interactive by asking questions and giving examples.
  • When you observe negative behaviour, it’s important that you address it directly with your child in a manner that will not embarrass him/her in front of others. Your goal should be to constructively correct; never to humiliate. The best way to handle a negative situation is to deal with the issue privately one-to-one.
  • Don’t forget that you are your child’s best role model for good sportsmanship. Be very mindful of how you respond to game officials and/or to disagreements with other coaches or parents. Your child will take their lead from you… they’re always watching!
  • Remember that “Having Fun is #1.”

How Important are Fundamental Movement Skills

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What are Fundamental Movement Skills

Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) or Gross Motor Skills are a range of movement patterns that involve different parts of the body. They include skills like running, catching and balancing and are the foundation movements to life. They are also the precursor to more specialised and complex skills that are used in play, sport, active learning and outdoor recreation. It’s vital for the physical development of children that these skills are developed from a young age.

FMS are broken up into 3 categories.
Body management skills – key for having a balanced body both in stillness and in movement.
Locomotor skills – enable the body to move freely from one point to another.
Object control skills – allow the body to interact and have control of objects and implements.

Importance for sport

As mentioned, FMS are the platform from which the skills in sports come from. A good FMS base is imperative for your child’s physical development and being able to competently participate in sports. Children that are proficient movers are more willing to participate in sport leading to higher self-esteem and self-confidence. This allows children to get greater enjoyment out of sport and make it a lifelong hobby. Studies have shown that low Fundamental Movement Skills are a major barrier for participating in sport and one of the main reason’s children quit organised sport.

Is sport the only thing FMS are good for

Fundamental Movement Skills are so much more then just the building blocks of sport, they are the key to an active and healthy life. They are the basis for every movement we do every day. They allow children to build a positive relationship with sports and exercise. This leads to a healthier lifestyle with a higher involvement in activity, a lower risk of heart disease and some cancers, reduced stress and anxiety levels and an improves self-worth.

When should you learn FMS

You can learn FMS at any age, however the optimal time for learning these skills is when you are a young child. This is due to young children having a lower level of self-consciousness, embarrassment and fear of injury. It is also easier for young children to unlearn any bad habits. Finally, it’s important for these skills to be learnt at a young age so that a child can more freely participate in sport and physical activity throughout their childhood.

Conclusion

Developing Fundamental Movement Skills are the key to being able to enjoy any sport or physical activity. Having a strong FMS base gives children a first step to a happier, healthier, more active and enjoyable life.

For more information about our Kindysport program, click here. For Pumped Sport programs, click here.

Making Fun Number One for Kids

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Make Sports Activities for Kids Fun

Playing sport is a wonderful tool to teach children a number of important life skills like confidence, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Research has shown that the number one reason kids play sport is to have fun. It’s not surprising then, that the number one reason children quit playing sport is because they stop enjoying it. Making sports activities for kids focussed on fun should be the main priority for young children.

By getting children excited, having fun and engaged with positive sporting experiences, children develop a love of physical activity and a lifelong interest in sport. Studies indicate the following specific and actionable behaviors that promote and foster fun:

  • Being a good sport – emphasize the different values that make up being a good sport like enthusiasm, fair play, determination, communication, humility, respect, unselfishness and co-operation. Celebrate and highlight when children demonstrate these values.
  • Positive coaching – as a coach, strive to create a safe and supportive environment where children receive a positive coaching experience that promotes inclusivity, good sportsmanship and fun. Regardless of what happens in the game or practise, refrain from using negative or derogatory language. Support and encourage all children to make the activities for kids the best possible experience.
  • Game time support – As a parent, demonstrate positive sideline behaviour by refraining from using negative or derogatory language aimed at the Officials, the Coaches, your child or other players. Support and encourage your child.
  • Inclusion – don’t get white line fever and bench the weaker players when things get close. All children should play equal time.
  • Team friendships – a strong focus on good sportsmanship and feeling valued and connected helps your child develop strong friendships with their teammates.

The bottom line is keep activites for kids fun and children will want to play!

For more information on our Kindysport program, click here. For our Pumped Sport programs, click here.

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Kindysport

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When you introduce your child to sports from an early age, you ensure they have the best chance at developing fundamental skills.

We know that physical activity releases all sorts of useful chemicals inside our brains. Those chemicals pump you up in body and mind. Regular active play events from a young age help your kids maintain a healthy emotional and physical state.

Kindysport equally cares about your child’s wellbeing and the way parents experience our service.

So, we asked them about our programs!

These are the top 10 reasons parents believe Kindysport helped their children:

1. We introduce a variety of sports

Through our Term Program we teach kids about 12 different sports. Our expertly fun team inspires children to get active through engaging age-appropriate games. At the same time, we help your kids develop Fundamental Movement Skills and improve their capacity for productivity.

The reason we cover so many different sports is simple. Here at Kindysport we appreciate your child’s uniqueness. By offering a range of sports we ensure every child finds their favourite!

Your kids will learn all about AFL, Rugby, Golf, Netball, T-ball, Tennis, Basketball, Hockey, Athletics, Cricket, Volleyball, and Soccer.

2. We support development and learning

With Kindysport your children will develop through physical activity, and they will learn how to express themselves in a way natural to their personality.

Sport helps children become their own person. We want to provide support for your kids through this crucial part of their journey to become adults.

3. Our programs help improve confidence and coordination

Our dedicated coaches encourage children and help them through challenges by showing support. Over time, your kids will start believing in themselves more!

All of our programs offer structured exercises that help improve motor skills, hand-eye coordination and balance.

4. We encourage exercise and passion to get active

Our team is always there to create a high-energy atmosphere that will get your kids excited.

We do this by focusing on fun play and games!

5. Your kids have fun and make friends

Sport is a proven way to meet new friends and foster relationships. And here at Kindysport we support healthy friendship.

When children view an activity as a fun game, they will gain more value from the experience. All while sharing a laugh with new mates!

6. We build a supportive environment

Our coaches are there to ensure a caring and accepting environment for your children. That way there is no pressure so kids become less anxious about joining the fun.

By feeling free and confident to engage, your kids will improve listening skills and they won’t be reluctant to follow instructions.

7. Our programs are age-appropriate

Research shows that children who engage early in regular physical activity can achieve better results in many areas of life. Their health and wellbeing is first and foremost.

We focus on toddlers and preschoolers when designing our programs. So your 2.5-5 year olds can awaken love of sports from the youngest age.

8. We promote social interaction

We are aware how important it is to promote the development of social skills. With our programs, your kids will feel encouraged to interact with each other and play with other toddlers and preschoolers.

9. Your child becomes a good sport

It follows to say that, through interaction with others and by seeing many wins and happy mistakes, your child will learn how to be supportive and a true team member.

10. We teach listening skills

Guided by our dedicated and expertly fun team, your kids will learn how to stay focused on the task and follow instructions.

 

If you’ve found this informative and you believe in us, reach out.

Let’s awaken your child’s love of sports!

ELC Programs

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Kindysport deliver a gross motor skills and introductory sports program at ELC facilities such as a kindergarten, pre primary school, early learning centre or daycare centre.

ELC programs are a great way for your facility to introduce a fun, structured sports or gross motor skills program that will enrich the learning outcomes of your children. The programs can be tailored to suit your physical education requirements.

Term 4 Kindysport

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Kindysport introduces 3 to 6 year old children to 12 different sports. Our focus is providing a fun, safe, inclusive program that enable children to develop the necessary skills to enjoy being active and discover their sporting interests. Each week we focus on a different sport.

Our term 4 timetable and start dates are:

ROCKHAMPTON

Monday 9.15am & 10am. 9 week program commences 12th October ($121.50).
Friday 9.15am & 10am. 10 week program commences 9th October ($135).

GLADSTONE

Monday 9.15am & 10am. 9 week program commences 12th October ($121.50).
Thursday 9.15am & 10am. 10 week program commences 8th October ($135).
Saturday 9.15am & 10am. 10 week program commences 10th October ($135).

To register for a free trial, please click on the link below to submit your details. One of our team will contact you to organise a suitable class.

The 12 Sports

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Kindysport offer a multisport program during the morning or after school at parks and indoor centres which are a fun introduction to sports for kids. These programs are independent of schools and are ideal for parents looking for a comprehensive program that introduces their child to a number of sports. All venues have indoor backups for wet weather.

Children are introduced to a different sport each week. In total we cover 12 different sports, so the program changes each term. The sports covered include cricket, tennis, rugby league, soccer, aussie rules, netball, basketball, teeball, golf, athletics, volleyball and hockey. Sessions run for 45 minutes. All equipment is supplied and is modified to suit young children. The games we play ensure early success and inclusion for all children regardless of skill level.

Click here for our Kindysport video.

Click here for our current timetable.