While some individuals may seem naturally endowed with more confidence than they ought to have, confidence is also something that can be nurtured. Parents and coaches can lend a helping hand. Here are some guidance and suggestions for guiding and nurturing children:
- Cultivate Patience
The first step in building a child’s confidence is teaching them patience. It’s not uncommon for young athletes to feel discouraged when the images they’ve painted in their minds don’t match reality. As a coach or parent, it’s crucial to make them understand that failure is not final. Another opportunity awaits for them to achieve personal excellence. This realization instills in them a positive attitude towards life, making them some of the toughest competitors on the field.
- Break the Cycle of Doubt
Even the best athletes suffer from self-doubt, which is not uncommon. However, when a player allows the cycle of doubt to take root permanently in their psyche, it becomes perilous. Thoughts of doubt breed feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, and disappointment, often leading young athletes to abandon all the hopes they once held.
As a coach or parent, you can break the cycle of self-doubt by encouraging your child or student to argue against their pessimistic thoughts. Pose them some questions that prompt them to find evidence for their beliefs. By teaching them how to weaken their own confidence in competition, you’re bringing them closer to establishing a stable sense of self-confidence.
- Reinforce Performance Assessment
One of the most potent factors influencing a young athlete’s confidence is when they perform well in any competition. Conversely, confidence may take a significant hit when a player performs poorly. A good way to bolster confidence is by helping athletes remember past successes in practice and competition. You can highlight a significant achievement or even a minor one to boost their confidence. The idea of reinforcing past achievements helps athletes relive those glorious moments, enhancing their confidence. Research indicates that confidence indeed matters.
- Focus on Their Talents
It’s beneficial for young athletes to have someone in their lives they can look up to or idolize. However, when people idolize someone to the point of believing they are superior, their own confidence diminishes significantly. As a coach, it’s your responsibility to remind your students of their own talents and strengths as athletes.
- Recognize Effort as Well as Performance
Just as every drop contributes to the vastness of the ocean, every participant in sports events contributes to making athletes more confident in their abilities. Participation trophies are generally frowned upon. Everyone wants to stand on the podium of victory. However, as a coach, you must encourage children to participate in sports, regardless of how many trophies they win. Recognizing every small victory is crucial in fostering children’s confidence. Even a participation certificate in a sport like soccer might sow the seeds of future Cristiano Ronaldos or Jenny Finches in your child’s mind.
- Encourage Sports and Other Physical Activities
Sports are no longer considered the exclusive domain of boys. Engaging in sports and physical activities can teach children to enhance their sense of independence. Sports activities help children recognize their strengths and accept their weaknesses. They learn the value of teamwork and the art of dealing with failure through sports. A physically active body automatically maintains a healthy brain and well-organized mind. Expanding the range of experiences and making new friends can help children build confidence.
- Offer Praise When Deserved
Children’s psyches are fragile and easily shaped by the opinions of parents and coaches regarding their self-worth. Therefore, offering positive feedback is crucial in not damaging a child’s sense of self-worth. If a child performs poorly in an activity, you can commend their efforts but refrain from unrealistically praising the outcome. As a coach or parent, help them set realistic goals and let them know that sometimes achieving perfection requires repeated effort and practice.
Ultimately, as a coach or parent, you should not burden your child or student with expectations. Simply provide them with space to enjoy the game and cultivate a love for sports.
