For the grown-up
Practice together
“What was the best part?”
Young people who play say they do it for fun and to be with friends, so that is a good place to start.
“I saw you keep working on that.”
Praise for what they tried helps a child believe they can keep getting better.
“I love to watch you play.”
Athletes looking back said this sentence felt best to hear from a parent.
“A month ago that was hard for you, and now look.”
Feeling “I’m not good enough” is the part of sport players who stopped liked least.
Sources: Aspen Institute Project Play, national survey of youth and sports (2025 survey, published April 2026); Gunderson and colleagues 2013, parents' praise and children's beliefs about ability; Rob Miller and Bruce Brown (Proactive Coaching), interviews with college-age athletes, as reported by Daniel Coyle.
Cut here
For the player
My practice card
Today I tried
Something that got easier
My best
How it felt
Practice makes progress. Only your own numbers go on this card.
Draw today's drill