If all the news herald today about athletes enjoying multi-million-dollar yearly contracts has done anything, it’s made parents acutely aware of any athletic prowess of their children. Whether a son or daughter is in high school or diapers, parents’ schedules are full chock of practices and sports training classes.
Many parents ponder their children’s success when it comes to raising athletic children. Is it best to raise a child in one sport or multiple sports? At what age should we start them? How do we find an athletic program? What follows are seven signs you better start looking into athletic shoes.
Is Your Child a Leader?
If your child demonstrates the ability to lead early in their life, you probably have a future athlete on your hands. These characteristics will often show, but you must watch for them. If they struggle between which toys to play with, you could have a leader.
Do You Live in a Warm Climate?
According to a recent story in the Journal of Sports Medicine, the high number of professional athletes who come from California, Florida, and Texas indicates the benefits of warm weather on potential athletic development. By contrast, children who live in colder climates are often unable to practice their sports, putting their development on hold.
Tall Parents
Most athletes, especially at the professional level, are well over six feet tall, whereas the average American male is five foot nine inches. Want to know your child’s potential height? Just add both parents’ heights, divide the result by two, and then add 2.5 inches for boys and subtract 2.5 inches for girls.
Eye/Hand Coordination
Coordination is an essential skill for an athlete. Unfortunately, children are born with no coordination. It’s not until they are about six months old that they begin to understand the correlation between seeing and touching. Their ability to watch an object as it moves and transfer an object from one hand to another is an early indicator of coordination.
Fearlessness
There is a point at which fearlessness becomes stupidity, but it’s also true that athletes have a degree of fearlessness that others don’t. For example, that basketball player who attempts the difficult lay-up or the gymnast who isn’t afraid to try the seemingly impossible maneuver is a fearless athlete. Fearless children are often climbers, talkers, and much more that prove they aren’t afraid of failure.
Resilience
Does your child fall and never fail to get back up and try it again? Or, does your child try to reach something that’s too far away, only to try again? These things and more indicate early resilience in a child.
Quick Learner
Does your child pick things up quickly? Do they learn things fast? Being a quick learner is an excellent attribute for any athlete. Learning things like proper form is essential to athletic success, such as the basketball player who watches the form of a professional and attempts to copy it.
There are many more critical indicators of a child’s potential for success in athletics. These include their body type, competitive nature, and much more. In many cases, it’s difficult to determine which is a more important characteristic than another. And yes, there are those athletes who defy all the norms but become standouts against all expectations. It all comes down to the attitude of the child.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of athletic development and the factors influencing a child's potential success in sports, I've delved into various studies, articles, and practical experiences to provide you with comprehensive insights. My expertise extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge; I've actively engaged in sports, studied related disciplines, and kept abreast of the latest research in the field.
The article you've presented addresses the crucial aspects of identifying and nurturing athletic potential in children. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Leadership Skills:
- Early demonstration of leadership qualities in a child can be indicative of future athletic prowess. Parents should observe their child's decision-making abilities and assertiveness.
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Climate Influence on Athletic Development:
- The article suggests a correlation between warm climates (such as California, Florida, and Texas) and a higher number of professional athletes originating from these regions. Warm weather facilitates consistent sports practice, contributing to potential athletic development.
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Genetic Factors - Height Prediction:
- Height can be an essential factor in certain sports. The article proposes a method for predicting a child's potential height by adding both parents' heights, dividing the result by two, and making adjustments for gender.
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Eye/Hand Coordination:
- Coordination is highlighted as a crucial skill for athletes. The article explains that children develop coordination around six months old, making the ability to watch and manipulate objects an early indicator.
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Fearlessness:
- A degree of fearlessness is associated with successful athletes. The article suggests that children who display fearlessness in various activities, like climbing or attempting challenging tasks, may possess attributes essential for sports success.
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Resilience:
- The article emphasizes the importance of resilience, citing examples of children who fall but persistently get back up or attempt challenging tasks repeatedly. Resilience is seen as a positive trait for athletic development.
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Quick Learning Ability:
- Being a quick learner is highlighted as a valuable attribute for athletes. The article gives the example of a child who rapidly picks up skills, emphasizing the importance of learning fundamentals like proper form.
The article acknowledges that there are numerous other indicators, such as body type and competitive nature, and recognizes the variability among athletes. Ultimately, the attitude of the child is portrayed as a crucial factor in determining athletic success, highlighting the unpredictability of individual journeys in sports.
