Tips for an Enjoyable Sports Carnival Day from a Perth Kids Physio

At the moment, our physiotherapists for children at Walky Talky Hub in Perth are busy helping the children at our clinic get ready for their upcoming sports days. We know these events can make some kids feel nervous, especially if they're worried about their performance.

Our mission as physios is to build a positive association with physical activity so that the kids we work with stay active and healthy throughout their lives.

So, what makes for a successful sports day? It's when a child feels nervous but not anxious about participating, when they're proud (or at least content) of their contribution to their team, and, most importantly, when they have fun.

Physiotherapy and Sports Carnival Preparation

1. Be Prepared
The more information you have about the day and the events, the better you can support your child. Understanding what they're having difficulty with will help you provide the right kind of encouragement and practice. 

2. Break Down Motor Skills
A key strategy in physiotherapy is to break down complex skills into smaller, more manageable parts. Instead of focusing on the entire sack race, practice just stepping in and out of the sack. For tunnel ball, practice just the scoop. Achieving success with these small pieces first builds confidence for the bigger challenges. 

The Importance of Running in Sports

While many Australian kids learn to swim, mastering a good running technique is crucial for lifelong activity. Proper running technique improves efficiency and decreases the chance of injury, making sprints and team games more enjoyable and boosting confidence in sport. 

Strategies for Successful Team Sports

Often the team games are nerve-wracking because of the pressure to not literally and figuratively drop the ball. For those kids that tend to panic and turn away or close eyes when a ball is thrown to them, we have lots of strategies to help. Bubbles, balloons, and scarves float gently through the air and are a great first step to desensitization and learning to coordinate hand and eye movements. 

Supporting a Child’s Sports Experience

1. Celebrate the Wins
Acknowledge progress in a way that is meaningful to your child. To make the celebration even more impactful, tie it to a shared activity. For example, if your child dislikes ball skills, you could practice a round of pass ball together and then celebrate by going on the swings.

2. Demonstrate Hard Work
Some children are surprised and even nervous by the feeling of breathlessness that comes with exertion. By showing your kids what it looks like when you exercise—getting hot, sweaty, and out of breath—you normalize the experience and show them that it's okay.

3. A Note from a Psychologist
It’s important to remember that losing and disappointment are okay experiences for a child to have. It is also okay for them to feel nervous about a difficult task. Our role is to ensure they feel supported, know they can turn to their parents to validate and process their emotions, and feel ready to try again even if things don't go their way.

If your child needs some help preparing for their sports carnival, come see one of our friendly Physiotherapists at the Walky Talky Hub in Perth!