Create a Positive and Supportive Environment for Your Child-Athlete.
Learn practical strategies to nurture the 5Cs in your athletic son or daughter – helping them to manage competition pressure and build a confident, resilient character
The 5Cs for Parents
We believe that parents form a very significant part of the sport experience for your child, and your role directly and indirectly influences the quality of this experience. Beyond being essential sources of organisational and financial support, parents play a key part in a child's psychosocial development which ultimately impacts upon their enjoyment, motivation, focus, self-belief, and ability to interact with others.
The qualities and skills that will enable your child not only to thrive in sport, but also within other life domains (e.g., school, work) reflect important learned behaviours that can be grouped under the 5Cs: Commitment, Communication, Concentration, Control, and Confidence. Of course, participation in sport can serve to naturally foster the development of these psychological and social skills, however, this is certainly not a given. As a parent, you have the opportunity to intentionally and proactively shape psychosocial development through your child's engagement in sport, as well as to act as a powerful role model for your child that enables them to pick up on appropriate ways to manage themselves and their interactions with others. Take a look at each of C's below.
Commitment
Commitment represents the motivational qualities and behaviours that drive a young athlete to participate and succeed in sport in a positive and healthy manner. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their child's expectations and how they view success and failure.
What does this mean for you?
- Reinforce the importance of trying hard and improving, rather than just results.
- Avoid comparison of your child's results to others at competitions.
Communication
Communication represents the interpersonal qualities and behaviours that help a young athlete to develop and maintain healthy relationships with others. How parents communicate with their child and encourage social skills and respect influences how their children engage positively with others.
What does this mean for you?
- Avoid criticism and blame and focus on discussions of what can be learned from matches/training.
- Encourage respectful interactions e.g., remind your child to be polite to coaches, teammates, and officials at competitions.
Concentration
Concentration represents the attention-related qualities of a young athlete and their ability to direct and regulate their attention on what matters most to their performance. Parents who can help children with their focus on task and encourage them to develop routines will dovetail superbly with their coach as this will be a consistent demand.
What does this mean for you?
- Avoid shouting instructions from the side of the court.
- Encourage and support your child in reflecting on what went well/can be improved after matches.
Control
Control represents the emotion-related qualities and coping skills of a young athlete, as they master their understanding, acceptance and management of emotions in sport. Parents play a vital role in creating a calm and empathic emotional environment, modelling and encouraging the composed responses that they want to see in their child.
What does this mean for you?
- Remain calm and positive during competition.
- Avoid criticising officials/umpires or opponents.
- Praise good sportsmanship and remaining calm during difficult moments.
Confidence
Confidence represents the athlete's belief in themselves to the extent of engaging in positive, often courageous behaviours that help them to meet their performance expectations in sport. Encouraging parents instil courage in their kids, helping to them to approach challenges with confident behaviour even when nothing is certain.
What does this mean for you?
- Avoid excessive pressure or expectations.
- Support independence through allowing athletes to make decisions and take responsibility.
Let's get your journey started!
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