Cheerleading is a sport that requires a lot of skill and coordination. It can be difficult for parents to get their children interested in cheerleading, because of this and because it’s a very social sport. However, it’s one of the most fun and beneficial sports that a child can join. Before we get into that though, let’s talk about these 7 tips for how to get your kids into cheerleading!
1. Age Appropriate: Choosing the Right Age Group
Cheerleading is a sport that children of all ages can enjoy. However, there are certain age groups that are more appropriate for cheerleading. The younger the child, the less intense cheerleading usually is. However, it is still a physically demanding sport. You’ll need to ensure your child is up for the task and at a physical health level where they could sustain the activity.
Perfect Age for Children in Cheerleading
Children who are around 8 years old are usually at a perfect age for cheerleading because this is when their bodies have developed enough for them to be able to handle this kind of sport with ease. This is also the age when most elementary schools start to have cheerleaders at sporting events. Waiting until they are older is also perfectly fine, but any younger and kids just aren’t able to withstand the time and physical activity requirements much of the time.
2. Offer Cheerleading Camps or Clinics
Determining how to get your kids into cheerleading is about more than just their age. Cheerleading is a sport that requires intense physical training and discipline. It's no surprise that many cheerleaders find themselves struggling with the mental aspect of the game. The best way to help cheerleaders develop their mental strength is by providing them with a safe space to work through their challenges. Cheer clinics and camps are an excellent way to provide this type of support and encouragement for cheerleaders in the community.
Offering your child the chance to be involved in a cheer camp or clinic in the summer could help get them into cheerleading. Reason being there are camps for all ages and ability levels and these camps can give your child a glimpse into that world.
Take a look at our explore page to find cheer camps near you!
3. Enthusiasm: Encourage & Motivate Your Kids
Encouraging and motivating kids to cheer is not an easy task. Parents need to find ways to make their children enthusiastic about the sport. One way of encouraging a child in cheering is by making sure that they have the right gear for the sport. Parents should buy them the right clothes, shoes, and equipment for cheerleading.
Another way would be by talking to their kids about what it means to be a cheerleader. They should make sure that they are aware of what it takes to be a good one - hard work, dedication, and commitment. It’s your job to educate them, but also excite them and tell them about the pros of being involved. For example: they’ll make new friends and get outside!
Parents can also encourage their children by showing them videos of other successful athletes who are also avid cheerleaders!
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Practice makes perfect is an old adage that is still true in many aspects of life. It can be applied to anything from learning a new skill to improving your golf swing. For children, it means practicing their cheers and cheer techniques.
The most important thing when it comes to cheering is enthusiasm. That's why practice is so important - it helps kids get into the right frame of mind and build up their confidence. This applies to when your child is new to cheering or you’re trying to convince them to join the sport. You have to play pretend and practice cheers with them, show them how fun it can really be.
5. Benefits of Being a Cheerleader
One of the best tips for how to get your kids into cheerleading is discussing the benefits of the sports! Cheerleading is a sport that is not only physically demanding, but also mentally. It requires a lot of self-confidence and the ability to be an extrovert. Cheerleaders are always expected to be happy, energetic, and supportive at all times. This can sound intimidating for kids who may not fall naturally into those categories, but by reminding them of the benefits of being a cheerleader can help.
Cheerleading can help improve your mental health by boosting your self-esteem and giving you more confidence. It will also give you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends with others who share the same interests as you do. It keeps you busy, gives you something fun to do, and gets you involved in your school!
6. Take Them to Sporting Events
If you want to find different and exciting ways to show your kids what cheerleading looks like, take them to a sporting event. Sporting events are the perfect place to introduce your kids to the sport, show them what it looks like and get them excited about the sport. Sometimes, kids need to see what they’re getting into before they get into it.
Some sporting events are more apt for cheering than others. For example, football and basketball games almost always have cheerleaders, so consider taking them to a local game!
7. See if They Have Friends Involved
When kids have friends involved in the activity they are more likely to continue. This is especially true of children who are interested in cheerleading. It’s a demanding sport, physically and mentally, so ensuring your kids have friends involved that they can talk to and relate to would be beneficial.
If they don’t have friends involved, see if any of their current friends show interest in joining, it could be something that they do together!
Conclusion
It is important that you get your kids into a sport that they enjoy, and cheerleading is an incredible option. Kids are a little more hesitant to try new things, especially if they are on the shy end. There are a few key tips for how to get your kids into cheerleading. You’ll have to show them what cheerleading looks like, what the benefits of it may be, if they have friends involved, etc. Get them acclimated and before you know it they’ll be waving their pom poms and cheering for their home team!
Before You Go
If you're now ready to find a Cheer activity for your child, search for businesses in your area using our free explore screen, just type in CHEER & all the businesses in your area will pop up in the search results. Explore today.
Read More: The Complete Guide to Starting Cheerleading at an Appropriate Age
