Set Your Children Up for Healthy Success
We all want our children to grow up healthy and strong. Although the mental picture of this may be different for many parents, there are many principles that lead your child in the right direction. VBparents.com visited with Andy Ballard, regional director of youth services and creator of the Sports Stars Academy at the new Virginia Beach Field House. He uses four basic principles to help parents grow their 18-month to 6-year-old children physically, mentally and socially:
- use consistency and repetition,
- challenge ability,
- engage in structured struggle,
- learn all day.
The staff at the Sports Stars Academy understands that the children come to have fun. They are trained to incorporate gross and fine motor skills, stability and balance, as well as social growth and comfort zones into their programs.
Consistency and Repetition
After speaking with Ballard, you can tell how important consistency and repetition are. He suggests getting to the child’s eye level, listening to the child’s thoughts completely, and responding like you would to one of your peers.
“It is way easier to be consistent when talking to children, if you talk to them as if they are any other adult,” says Ballard.
This way, a child knows what to expect and what is expected of them.
Challenge Ability
Have you ever watched somebody try to talk to somebody that does not speak English? They slow down their speed of speech. They use little words. They over annunciate words with their mouth. It is pretty funny to watch from a distance. Often times, the same holds true when you watch an adult trying to communicate with a child. So many times we do not give children the credit they deserve. Children are learning machines. Challenge them. They will perform to your expectations.
Structured Struggle
Be a supporter. Make sure you’re available to help your child, but let them experience things on their own. Coping with struggles or stressors helps children become independent. Supporting a child allows them to be challenged, and allows them to stretch their comfort zone.
“Stretching a child’s comfort zone is a very healthy exercise and is a vital element in the Sports Stars Academy,” Ballard explains. “Children have a natural call to adventure. Harnessing that in a supportive environment causes great teachable moments.”
Learning is an All Day Activity
Although most children have a 45 to 50 minute attention span, learning for a child is an all-day activity.
“These principles are lifestyle habits for raising children. Raising a child is a team effort and we love being a part of that team, but seeing a child once a week is simply not enough,” explains Ballard.
At the Sports Stars Academy, building relationships with parents is essential. Class does not end after 50 minutes.
“The parent take over the teaching, but our tools are effective with their child and give them an acute idea of where their child is in the development process,” says Ballard.
The Virginia Beach Field House is one of Virginia’s premier indoor sports facilities. With more than 175,000 square feet, the Field House offers leagues, camps, clinics, and tournaments for youth and adults in lacrosse, soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, arena (indoor) baseball and softball, field hockey, dodge ball, and other social sports. The facility also hosts birthday and team parties, corporate events, and other organized activities. It has six turf fields, eight regulation volleyball courts, four basketball courts, multiple party rooms, an arcade, and an indoor Fun Zone. Everyone is encouraged to visit our fully stocked food court.
If you would like to talk to Ballard or another staff member about strategies for helping your child, visit the Virginia Beach Field House at www.beachfieldhouse.com, send an e-mail to aballard@beachfieldhouse.com or call the Virginia Beach Field House at 757-427-3955.