SUPPORT YOUR KIDS AT THE TRACK AND IN THE CLASSROOM

Every Australian athlete that gets to wear the green and gold owes a lot to Mum and Dad. From the early morning training to unwavering support on the sidelines, parents play an integral role in helping the next generation of Australian Track and Field stars.

However, sometimes it can feel hard to understand how best to support kids so that they feel supported and motivated on the track, in the classroom and at home.

We’ve partnered with Kumon Australia to help provide five top tips to make sure whether it’s a toddler or a teenager, that your kids are ready to be their best:

Tip One: Routines and Goals that everyone can see!

Family fridge organisers are a great way to help your kids understand what is happening and what is coming up each week. Preparedness is important as it helps reassure your child what is going on and can help channel their motivation for key times during the week. Plus, by adding a goals section, you can make your child’s ambitions front and centre every day.

Tip Two: Variety is key.

When it comes to staying motivated, it’s always great to approach tasks like a decathlete and get some variety into your schedule. Especially when it comes to the classroom, it’s good to balance out some easy wins with a good challenge. Mix up tasks that require intense concentration, with some that are open-ended and allow for creativity.

Tip Three: Find the learning in a loss.

Losing can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride for kids to understand. Parents play a crucial part in helping kids comprehend how to accept a lost running race or less-than-ideal report card. So, when it comes to bad news, start with acknowledging the situation, take a beat with your child and find a constructive takeaway on how, as a team, you can prepare for the next battle.

Tip Four: Nutrition Matters!

Providing snacks is not only a way to win someone’s heart, but it also helps them sustain their focus. By providing a range of healthy snacks you can help keep your superstar focused and motivated. A great place to start is by going for 2 fruit and 5 vegetables every day!

Tip Five: Kids go crazy for Kumon.  

Through partners like Kumon, you can help reassure and motivate your kids on the track and in the classroom. Kumon's theory and practice of individualised learning and study at the 'just-right' level means kids progress at their own speed at their own time. As a result, Kumon students build self-esteem, learn that they can do anything if they try, and are motivated to develop new abilities to take on new challenges.

By reinforcing positive learning processes and self-learning, you can help support and motivate your kids on the track and in the classroom while maintaining good physical and mental health routines. 

To find out more about how Kumon's programmes can help your children achieve their goals, find your local Kumon Education Centre HERE. 

This article is sponsored by Kumon Australia. 

By David Smith, Athletics West

Posted 6 April 2023.