Are You Motivate? (University of Michigan, 2005)
Motivation expert Michael Vallis states “most people fall into a pattern. They start out with the best intentions and do well for a little while … but then fall back into old habits. It’s a classic health trap: two steps forward, three steps back. (ScienceDaily 2008).
The attitudes of teachers, coaches and parents have a major impact on these motivators. This is a great setting for children to learn that making mistakes can be an essential component of mastering a new skill. It is more motivating to provide encouragement and to praise success than to curse errors.
(Dietriffic 2011)
A very important dimension in keeping young students motivated are the role of Parents and Schools.
Role of Parents.
“Parents must make conscious efforts to limit sedentary activities and to encourage physical ones for their children. This includes monitoring the time children spend on the computer, watching TV, or playing video games and suggesting different forms of entertainment” (University of Maryland Medical Centre, 2011). Although most children who are not interested in joining teams may enjoy other aspects of physical activity with the parents, such as, going for a walk after dinner or a swim as a family. The parents play an essential role in motivating their children to improving health through physical activity.
Role of Schools.
“Early school physical education programs can make a significant difference and the earlier these routines are learned, the more likely they will be carried forth into a healthy adulthood. Schools should emphasize team cooperation or individual improvement and self-mastery” (University of Maryland Medical Centre, 2011). Schools play a major role in improving students health through physical activity because when kids get home from school they have homework to do, work to attend or even other commitments such as music lessons which will effect the ability to perform the necessary recommendations of a young adolescent.
