How to instil a love of sport in your child?

Sedentary lifestyle – how does it affect activity levels?

Movement is one of the body’s fundamental needs. Physical activity boosts blood circulation and supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients necessary for its proper functioning. It stimulates the formation of new neural connections, improves focus, memory, and mood, while also supporting both physical and mental health. 

Unfortunately, technological advancements encourage a sedentary lifestyle. We spend countless hours working at computers, and much of our free time lounging in front of the TV. Meanwhile, global health experts warn that limited physical activity negatively impacts the development of children and adolescents. And the consequences, both short- and long-term, are deeply concerning.

What causes a lack of physical activity?

In the report ‘MultiSport Index 2024: Sportcrastination. How (un)active are Poles?’ commissioned by Benefit Systems, Professor Ernest Kuchar, a specialist in sports medicine and infectious diseases at the Medical University of Warsaw, notes that from a public health perspective, the findings point to a hidden health crisis caused by a chronic lack of physical activity. 

According to the professor, the problem lies not only in the lack of time or limited access to sports infrastructure, but also in people’s mindset. Despite the widely acknowledged value of physical activity in disease prevention, in practice it often loses out to more passive forms of leisure, such as browsing the internet or watching television.

‘The greatest challenge remains changing this mindset and establishing lasting health habits that include regular physical activity in the long term,’ emphasised Professor Kuchar.

How can we cultivate a pro-sport attitude?

In the face of such challenges, it is essential to develop healthy exercise habits from an early age. Research shows that physical activity patterns acquired in childhood and adolescence lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle in adulthood. Similarly, unhealthy habits adopted early on, such as prolonged sitting, poor diet or substance abuse, tend to persist into later life, as highlighted by Viviane Reding, former EU Commissioner for Education, Sport and Culture.

So how can we promote positive attitudes towards sport? A good starting point is to reflect on our own past experiences – both positive and negative – that have shaped our current approach. In his book ‘Sport Psychology’, Matt Jarvis emphasises the crucial role played by those closest to us – family and friends. This is also supported by the findings of ‘MultiSport Index 2024: Sportcrastination. How (un)active are Poles?’. They indicate that our attitude towards physical activity is closely linked to childhood experiences. For some, PE lessons were a source of stress; for others – of joy and inspiration.

Movement habits – how do they shape adults already in childhood?

Over 60% of respondents recall their PE lessons positively. These classes were far more likely to be a source of enjoyment for men and for those who currently exercise at least three hours a week. Meanwhile, 20% of Poles admitted they didn’t enjoy PE at school. This highlights how important it is for these lessons to be engaging and motivating, as for many students, they may serve as the first step towards an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, for some, PE was more of a source of stress than inspiration, and as a result, it failed to encourage physical activity in adulthood.

School PE is just one factor in shaping movement habits – the home environment is equally important. Research shows that sport was part of daily life in nearly half of Polish households (43%). This figure is significantly higher among physically active adults – as many as 58% of those who exercise more than three hours a week, and 47% of those who train at least that much, grew up in families where regular activity was encouraged. And what about those who avoided sport in childhood? Studies show that they tend to continue avoiding it later in life.

Considering the conclusions above, it becomes clear that understanding the factors that shape specific attitudes can help promote healthy approaches to physical activity among children, as well as shift mindsets among adults. The most important elements are direct experience and observation. That’s why the key is to provide children with positive experiences related to sport. But that’s only the beginning.

What is intrinsic motivation?

The English anthropologist, archaeologist and biologist John Lubbock once said that teaching a child is not as important as inspiring their desire to learn. In practice, it's hard to find a teacher who would disagree with this view. But how can we effectively spark a child’s curiosity and drive to explore? This question is also asked by coaches, educators and parents who want to instil a love of physical activity – not out of obligation, but out of joy.

Joy and a sense of purpose are the foundations of what is known as intrinsic motivation. By definition, intrinsic motivation is ‘an inherent tendency to seek out novelty and challenges, to extend and exercise one's capacities, to explore, and to learn.’ In the context of physical education and children's sport, it is not only participation in the activity that is crucial, but also the way in which the child experiences it – whether it brings them joy, sparks curiosity, and gives them satisfaction from their achievements. 

This helps explain why it’s so important to strengthen intrinsic motivation rather than rely solely on extrinsic rewards. When sport becomes a source of joy and satisfaction for a child, they’re far more likely to maintain a regular physical routine. External motivators, such as rewards, parental pressure, or teachers’ expectations, may bring short-term results, but they rarely foster lasting engagement.

How to instil a love of sport in your child?

Building a sporting spirit is no easy task, which is why it’s so important to present physical activity as a source of pleasure and a natural part of life from the earliest years. Allowing a child to observe and imitate parents, older siblings, or other adults who genuinely enjoy being active helps shape positive role models. This, in turn, creates lasting habits and a long-term motivation to stay active.

What’s more, children should be shown that physical activity is fun – that it brings joy, a sense of achievement, and the chance to discover their own capabilities, which in turn builds confidence. This approach is far more beneficial than focusing solely on results or competition, which, according to research by Spence and Helmreich, can often hinder effective performance.

In conclusion, when introducing children to the world of sport, we should make it clear that competition is just one element of physical activity, not its sole purpose. Far more important than winning is developing one’s skills, discovering passions, spending time with friends, and simply enjoying movement. 

If you want to support your child’s physical activity, be sure to explore the opportunities offered by the MultiSport Kids card. Thanks to this programme, children can try climbing, discover a passion for dance, or take a dip in the pool!

^References:

1. ^{Michalski A., Napierała M., Zasada M., Wychowanie fizyczne. Sport dzieci i młodzieży, Wydawnictwo Akademii Bydgoskiej im. Kazimierza Wielkiego, Bydgoszcz, 2005.}
2. ^{MultiSport Index 2024: Sportcrastination. How (un)active are Poles?, Minds & Roses and IRCenter for Benefit Systems, 2024. https://sportkrastynacja.kartamultisport.pl/pdf/Raport%20MS%20Index%202024%20Sportkrastynacja.pdf}
3. ^{Jarvis, M., Sport Psychology: A Student’s Handbook, Routledge, London, 2006.}
4. ^{McGinnis A. L., Bringing Out the Best in People: How to Enjoy Helping Others Excel, Augsburg Books, Minneapolis, 1985.}
5. ^{Franken, R. E., Human Motivation., Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, 1994.}