COLUMBUS, OH (NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL) – Playing sports can be a game changer for kidsâwith benefits to their physical, mental, and emotional health that can last a lifetime. But about seventy percent of kids quit playing by the age of thirteen, often due to overscheduling, excessive training or pressure to perform. A new national survey finds most parents have their kids in sports for all the right reasons, but experts at the kids mental health foundation say consistent communication with kids is critical to ensure athletic play remains a positive force in their lives.
As the level of competition rises for fifteen-year-old goalkeeper Enzo Servedio so does the pressure to perform his best.
“You might have 10 other guys in front of you, but then when it comes down to you, you’re really the only one there,” said Enzo Servedio, a soccer player.
Enzo proactively began seeing child psychologist Dr. Cathy Butz at Nationwide Childrenâs Hospital to help manage the many emotions athletes experienceâfrom a big win to a tough loss. Doctor Butz says staying connected with kids is key to recognizing stress related to sports.
âIf kids are not able to recognize the positive elements of the sport that they’re playing and instead are feeling a lot of that pressure, they just simply get burnt out and then they don’t want to do it,â stated Cathy Butz, PhD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
A new national survey by the Kids Mental Health Foundation finds parents overwhelmingly favor the healthy benefits of sports that build kidsâ sense of belonging and connectionâlike teamwork, friendship, and joyâover those that could be linked to burnout or anxietyâlike competition and aspirations to play at a higher level, which doctor butz emphasizes are not necessarily bad things to value, but need to be managed carefully.
âWhen the team didn’t win, the points weren’t on the board you had hoped, let’s reframe that as well, âbut what did you do in that game? What did you feel accomplished by?ââ added Dr. Butz.
Building that positive mindset is something that helps Enzo on the soccer field and in life. And if the load ever feels heavy, he knows he doesnât have to carry it alone.
âIf you have a vessel for what you’re trying to tell somebody, then it’s really helpful and then everybody’s on the same page, so you build stronger relationships,â commented Servedio.
âThe more you talk about it and the more you break into that, the easier it is to keep it going,â commented Emily Morris Servedio, Enzo’s mom.
Article written by The Kids Mental Health Foundation: COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 23, 2024) â Positive sports experiences can be a game changer for kids, with physical, social, emotional and mental health benefits that last a lifetime, according to a new survey from The Kids Mental Health Foundation. However, youth mental health advocates with The Kids Mental Health Foundation stress the importance of ongoing conversations with young athletes about how their sports are impacting their confidence, self-esteem and happiness, whether itâs positive or negative.
The national survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of The Kids Mental Health Foundation finds parents overwhelmingly value the benefits of playing sports that build confidence and a sense of belonging for their children over those that could be associated with stress and burnout. After physical activity, the things parents feel most often benefit their children when playing sports are teamwork (88%), friendship (82%) and joy (74%), while competition (52%) and aspirations to play at a higher level (35%) are secondary to these.
âCompetitiveness is an indication that our kids are driven and motivated, which is wonderful, but we also need to ensure they have balance in their lives and that they continue to find enjoyment in playing sports,â said Cathy Butz, PhD , a pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Childrenâs Hospital who works with young athletes to help them maintain a positive mindset. âHelping them navigate their emotions or decide when itâs time to take a break lets them know that youâre really in their corner and are there to support them.â
While about 60 million kids participate in organized youth sports across the country, according to a recent study published in Pediatrics, 70% quit playing by the age of 13, often due to overscheduling, excessive training and pressure to perform. Parents, coaches and caregivers can combat this by assuring kids that their success is not measured in wins and losses. By starting the conversation with kids early and checking in often, adults can gain insight into how young athletes are processing their experiences. This presents opportunities to teach these athletes how to manage the many emotions they may feel when playing sports, from a big win to a tough loss.
âItâs important for parents to open the lines of communication and then listen for signs that their child is feeling too much pressure or stress,â Dr. Butz said. âKids often just need a break, even from a sport they love, by having other activities in their lives that allow them to destress and reset daily. Help your child to identify other things in their life that are important to them, and schedule some time to allow them to unwind, take care of themselves and balance other important priorities like academics.â
The first step, and sometimes the most difficult for parents, is starting the conversation. Experts at The Kids Mental Health Foundation say itâs helpful to keep the following tips in mind:
â Help kids open up about the pressure theyâre feeling and how theyâre coping with it by asking things like, âWhat kinds of thoughts go through your head before a big competition,â or âHow do you talk to yourself when you make mistakes?â
â The words you use to encourage your young athlete matter. Using phrases like, âDon’t quit,â sends the message that theyâre not trying hard enough. Instead, encourage them to try their best.
â Find reasons to praise effort or specific skills. While this is easier to do when celebrating a win, itâs even more important after a loss or poor performance. Make a point to congratulate your child and their teammates and list something about how each player on the team improved in that practice or match.
Conversation starters to help kids open up about pressure, as well as a how-to guide for parents to help young athletes focus on their mental health are available for free at KidsMentalHealthFoundation.org.
About the survey: This Kids Mental Health Foundation/Ipsos poll was conducted March 22-24, 2024, by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 539 adult parents of children under the age of 18. The survey has a margin of error of ± 4.7 percentage points.
The Kids Mental Health Foundation is the leading organization promoting mental health for children in the United States. To achieve its vision to build a world where mental health is a vital part of every childâs upbringing, more than 1,000 mental health professionals and researchers at Nationwide Childrenâs Hospital, in partnership with other trusted experts, provide real-world knowledge and expertise to power the Foundationâs free educational videos, guides and curriculum. Launched in 2018 as The On Our Sleeves Movement for Childrenâs Mental Health, the organization recently expanded its mission as The Kids Mental Health Foundation to reflect the belief that emotional and physical wellbeing should be treated the same. To date, more than 15 million people have engaged with the Foundationâs materials, empowering parents, caregivers, educators, coaches and employers as the guiding force for childrenâs mental health all across the United States.
