Research show that the longer kids stay in sports, the more likely they are to stay in school, to get better grades, and to have fewer behavior problems.  In a  a survey reported by the UCLA Sports Psychology Laboratory, positive parent interaction was listed as one of the main reasons why youngsters continue to participate in youth sports.

       Throughout the season, we have an excellent opportunity, as parents, to help our kids stay positive, stay interested, and not get discouraged if they have a "bad day", or if they're not winning all the time. One way is to help them concentrate on their own progress as the season moves along.   Regardless of the sport they're playing, we can help our kids focus on their progress in any of three areas: frequency, duration, or intensity.

       Frequency: how often something is happening (i.e., in baseball,  a kid makes more contact with the ball when at bat, or has fewer errors.  In soccer, a kid passes to the open player more often, or kicks with both feet more often).

       Duration:   how long something lasts (i.e., in baseball, a kid makes contact with the ball on two consecutive at-bats, or goes two consecutive innings without an error.  In soccer, a kid dribbles the ball with three consecutive kicks, or goes a whole period without an offsides penalty.  At the entry level, a kid pays attention to the game for two consecutive minutes without chasing butterflies, waving to friends, or playing "G.I. Joe" on the net!)

       Intensity:   how much energy is involved (i.e., in baseball, a kid hustles on the bases, knows the game situation, or "chatters" on the field and on the bench.  In soccer, a kid hustles after loose balls, or hustles to keep moving downfield on a throw-in, or chatters on the field, encouraging teammates and communicating about ball and player location.

      If kids see some kind of progress, they're more likely to keep coming back to practices and games.  It's up to us to make sure our kids notice their progress, regardless of the bad days.  It's a good lesson, on the field or off.

(Adapted from Dr. Burnett's book, Youth, Sports & Self Esteem: A Guide for Parents, his accompanying audiotape, "Hey, Mom & Dad, Its Just a Game!", and his positive coaching booklet series and audiotape, Positive Coaching: The Art of Being a Successful Youth League Coach, all available through FUNAGAIN Press, P. O. Box 7223, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7223, 1-800-493-5943, Fax (714) 495-8204.  funagain@pacbell.net   Website www.ddcompany.com/funagain