Athletic ability

Q: My 8-year-old son is not very coordinated or good at sports. He says he wants to get more involved in sports activities, but doesn't do as well as others and gets very disappointed. What can I do to help him?

A: Coordination and the ability for sports are traits that can be developed with practice. Encourage him to start practicing non-team sports like rollerblading where he only competes with his own performance. Support him with words of encouragement. Remind him of some other activity he has mastered that he was not able to do easily, such as riding a bicycle. Accentuate the positives. Don't dwell on his inability to do something. To improve his chances in team sports, offer him the opportunity to attend camps or classes that teach skills training. Encourage him to practice more on his own outside of team practices. With perseverance, he will acquire the ability to participate adequately in team sports.

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