It seems to you that mental training would be ideal for your child, but when you suggested it, your child reacted negatively.
The child is reluctant, scared, and insists they don’t need it.
Believe us, your child is not the only one.
When someone misbehaves or causes trouble at school, they are immediately sent to the psychologist.
The psychologist sounds strict, scary, and children get the impression that they only go to them when they have problems.
Therefore, before suggesting to your child that they attend mental training with a sports psychologist, it would be good to prepare them and present the whole process in a positive light.
Here are some tips on how to do that.
Athlete role models
Children (and adults, too) learn through what is called model learning. In other words, children learn by observing, copying, and imitating.
Show your child famous and successful athletes who have openly talked about their work on mental preparation with sports psychologists.
The internet is an endless source of interesting videos and interview clips where sports stars like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Kobe Bryant share their struggles during competitions and how much psychologists helped them.
If a great athlete like Usain Bolt or the famous Serena Williams needs a psychologist, maybe your child will realize how much mental training can help them, too.
Also, show your child our social media pages to see which athletes come to us.
Children love good role models and enjoy imitating them.
Be a good role model
Also, continuing on this topic, show your child that sometimes you need support too, and that going to a psychologist is nothing to be ashamed of.
Let them know that it’s not only “crazy” people who go to a psychologist, but everyone who wants to improve their performance and quality of life.
Furthermore, present mental training as an opportunity to improve performance, not as a way to fix problems.
Emphasize to your child that there is nothing wrong with them, that they are not “abnormal,” and that mental training is just another form of sports preparation, just like conditioning and technical-tactical training.
Mental training can help your child progress and is not reserved only for solving problems.
Talk with your child about what is bothering them regarding mental training.
Children often have the wrong perception that needing a sports psychologist means they are at fault or incapable.
They worry about being teased by teammates, how the coach will react, and whether it means they are weak.
Talk with your child and find out exactly what is bothering them.
When you know the precise problem, it is easier to approach it and find a solution.
Often, children’s fears are unfounded, which means you can help prove otherwise.
Bring your child to our free info meeting.
Children often need some adjustment.
For this reason, we offer a free 30-minute info meeting at our office or online.
During the info meeting, we get to know each other, briefly explain how mental training works, and describe how we conduct our sessions.
Children relax, realize that we’re not doing anything scary, and want to start mental training!
Do you want to schedule a free meeting with us?
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