How+to+Motivate+Kids

 =How to motivate kids= **Saying 'Get up and do something!' to a child often ends up achieving the opposite. But if you take a less direct approach the results can be amazing. Lead by example and set up the conditions in which to be active, so your child can find their own way.**

Being a role model
Kids will usually follow what you do more than what you say. If they see you enjoying physical activity and having fun, it will motivate them to be more active. It also means they can’t use the classic excuse (either stated or just in their thoughts) of ‘Well, you don’t do anything yourself’. Playing together is important too. Help your child practise basic sporting and movement skills such as throwing and catching or kicking a ball.

Providing the right conditions
With a bit of planning you can set up the conditions for getting active: If your child is inactive, gradually build up the amount of activity they do. Start with a moderate amount and set goals so you can chart progress over time.
 * Have a range of active ideas for when your child says ‘I’m bored’ – hide and seek, skipping, throwing and catching, etc. See __[|activity ideas]__ for more suggestions.
 * Buy gifts that encourage physical activity, such as balls, bats or skipping ropes.
 * Encourage active play with your child’s friends – bike-riding, kicking a ball.
 * Provide some soft balls and equipment for active indoor games.
 * Create fun and exciting opportunities for activity, e.g. after school or on weekends. It’s easy to think that your child is sufficiently active at school, but they need to be encouraged to be active at home as well.
 * Encourage your child to be more active outside during daylight hours, to balance being less active when it’s not possible for them to be outside.
 * Try and plan activities during school holidays, such as trying a new sport or going to a holiday camp.

Keeping it going
Long-term motivation is not so easy to achieve. Once your child is up and active, take some sensible steps to keep it going: __How can parents support their child’s physical activity?__ A factsheet of good ideas for supporting children, and how to put these ideas into practice (NSW Dept of Education and Training).
 * Build up the amount of activity over time and chart their progress.
 * Let your child try a variety of activities so they find ones they enjoy and want to continue with.
 * Keep it interesting. Encourage them to try something different if they lose interest in one activity. Variety also ensures they develop a range of skills.
 * Be flexible with the weather and different seasons. Have a list of activities for rainy days.
 * Support your child’s choice of activity, whether it’s active play or organised sport.
 * Recognise their achievements.
 * Offer active rewards if your child attends an activity regularly and achieves their goals, e.g. take them to the pool or the beach.
 * Attend practice sessions or matches whenever possible.