Conversations with Kids - Emotional Control in Sport
For parents and guardians where we give you prompts so that you can have more meaningful conversations with your children to help them build key characteristics such as mental toughness, resilience, confidence, creativity, focus and so on.
A Question for your Kids
Have you ever felt upset or frustrated in sport because things didn’t go the way you wanted. Maybe you missed a chance, got substituted, or didn’t play as well as you hoped?
Talk to your child about what they do in those moments. Do they try to hide how they feel, get angry, or start doubting themselves? Helping them recognise and talk about their emotions is the first step to building control and confidence.
Improves:
- Confidence
- Emotional Control
Directions for Parents
As a parent, your reactions matter. When things don’t go your child’s way, it’s natural to feel disappointed or protective but showing calmness and understanding teaches them how to handle emotions too.
Ask open questions like:
- “What did you learn from that situation?”
- “What helped you stay calm?”
- “What could you try next time?”
Avoid jumping straight to advice or criticism. Instead, listen, validate their feelings, and remind them it’s okay to feel upset emotions are part of sport.
Ideas for Kids
In the moment when playing sport:
- Try slow breathing or counting to 10 before reacting when you’re frustrated.
- Remember: mistakes are chances to learn, not reasons to be hard on yourself. How would you talk to your best friend if they made a mistake?
- Tell yourself something kind and encouraging: I can handle this. I’ll keep trying.
Helpful Resources
Taking Control Of Your Emotions: Lessons from Ex-Footballer and Anxiety Coach Matt Young
If you would like to share your experiences as a sports parent or get insights regarding kids sport psychology, you may also wish to join David in The Sport Psychology Hub.
Best Wishes
David Charlton
Online Sports Psychologist for Kids who supports many youngsters and sports parents so that they have more fun and get the most from their talent across the globe from USA/Canada to Great Britain and Ireland to UAE, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, using ONLINE Video Conferencing.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence
Host of Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast
Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub
Author of Conversations for Kids
With over a 15 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to transfer their skills from training to competitive situations, under pressure.
