I read a very interesting New York Times article last night about kids’ developing “Math Anxiety.” The article was titled – “Square Root of Kids’ Math Anxiety: Their Parents’ Help.” Individuals with high math anxiety demonstrate smaller working memory spans and lapses in mathematical development. The big question is, how do kids develop math anxiety?! Math anxiety is developed when math-anxious parents help too much with their children’s math homework. The more math anxious-parents tried to work with their children, the worse their children did in math.
I’d like to think there are parallels between math-anxious parents negatively affecting their children in math, AND, anxious parents negatively affecting their children in sports. For example, if you’re a parents that goes to your child’s game and can’t help but to scream when your child has the ball, when a play is developing, or when the balls on the ground, than you need to be very contentious of this behavior; children put enough pressure on themselves during play. If they hear their mom or dad screaming during their event, it will only add to anxiety. If your child is looking over at you after this play, than its a sign they’re becoming an anxious player.
Youth laxer seen playing with confidence
Additionally, if you’re a parent that gets anxious during your son or daughter’s games, you need to be conscious of what you say and do with your children on the walk to the parking lot, on the car ride home, and when your children are playing in the back yard. Let your children bring up events from their practice or game on their own. If they don’t feel like discussing it, than talk about something else. If your children don’t feel like getting instruction during their play in the backyard, than let them just play.
Children are inherently creative. They should have the confidence to try new things, make mistakes, and experiment during sporting events. If your child is feeling anxious during PLAY, than they won’t have the confidence to try new things and develop their game. Their development will be flawed both mentally and physically, not allowing them to progress.
Sometimes doing nothing can mean everything for your child’s development. Let your children make mistakes. Let them be creative. Just let them PLAY. Every child develops at a different rate. Some kids pick up things quicker than others. Substitute some of that anxiety with patience and support. Your child will be successful in whatever they pursue.
