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| Enthusiasm is Infectious! |
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| Although it is our children who are the swimmers, and they who need to establish their own goals and make their own progress towards them, parental enthusiastiasm and support makes a world of difference to their experience on the team. It is crucial to a swimmers early development not to be over-burdened with winning or achieving best- times and not feel like their parents are trying to impose their own standards and goals.
First they are the children we love, and second, a swimmer. All athletes need to be assured that we'll love them whether they perform well or not; All we expect is that they always that they give their best effort.
Positive Parent Support Tips:
- Your child needs your emotional and physical support. Be liberal in providing this support.
- Support but do not push your child.
- Understand development – long-term development as an athlete, and growth and development as it impacts performance.
- Be realistic in terms of expectations; factor in age and skill level; be aware of your child’s perception of [your] expectations.
- Emphasize performance and effort, not just outcome. The athlete only has control over his/her performance. Define and measure success as giving maximal effort and as personal improvement.
- Keep winning in perspective - performing a personal best-time is as important as winning the race.
- Do not bribe.
- Give plenty of encouraging and rewarding comments and feedback.
- View swimming as an opportunity to teach your child about commitment, hard work, and coping with success and adversity.
- Work to form an effective Coach-Athlete-Parent Triangle.
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