The Growth Mindset Guide for Parents
June 30, 2026
As a soccer coach for more than 20 years, I’ve watched technology become a bigger and bigger part of children’s lives. Screens aren’t going away. The reality is that kids will use phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. We use them as adults too.
The question isn’t whether children will spend time on screens. The question is how we can create healthy alternatives that encourage them to spend more time in the real world.
I believe sports, and soccer in particular, can play a huge role in that.
When I first moved to America, I helped look after my nephew while my sister worked. She had studied child development and was very intentional about limiting screen time. I remember introducing him to soccer when he was very young. At first, he didn’t understand the idea of scoring goals, so I created fun games using imagination. We pretended the goals were hungry and that he was feeding them soccer balls.
What started as a game quickly became a passion.
As he got older and screens became more available, he wasn’t rushing to sit inside. He wanted to go outside and kick a ball around. Today, at 21 years old, he’ll wake up at 5 AM to watch a soccer match and drive from Sherman Oaks to Orange County just to play in a pickup game.
Of course he still uses screens. Every young adult does.
The difference is that soccer became part of who he was.
That’s what sports can do for children.
When a child develops a genuine interest in soccer, they’re more likely to:
All of those activities naturally reduce the amount of time available for screens.
Even one or two classes per week can add up over the years. Add in practices, games, camps, and time spent playing with friends, and you’re talking about hundreds or even thousands of hours spent being active, social, and engaged in the real world.
But the benefits go far beyond reducing screen time.
Over the years, I’ve coached thousands of children, and one of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing what happens years later.
Many of the children I coached when they were young are now in college, have graduated, or are working adults. I’m still in touch with many of their families, and one thing I notice again and again is that soccer has become a lasting part of their lives.
They still wake up early to watch games.
They still get excited for the World Cup.
They still play when they get the chance.
The game becomes part of who they are.
I’ve also watched incredible personal growth happen through soccer.
I have children in our league today who I remember as three-year-olds. Some were extremely shy. Some didn’t want to leave their parents’ side. Even at five and six years old, some were hesitant to interact with new children or step outside their comfort zones
Now, years later, I watch those same children confidently walk into camps, join new teams, introduce themselves to other players, and make friends with ease.
Part of that confidence comes from their soccer ability improving over time. They know they are capable. They know they belong.
But an even bigger part comes from years of exposure to new environments, new teammates, new coaches, and new challenges.
Soccer teaches children how to navigate the world.
One of my favorite things to hear from parents is when they tell me about family vacations. I’ve had parents share stories of their children visiting places like Spain and France and immediately finding other children to play soccer with.
That’s one of the beautiful things about the game.
Soccer is a universal language.
Children don’t need to speak the same language to understand that their team is trying to score in one goal and defend the other. A ball is all it takes to create a connection.
There is a reason soccer is the most popular sport in the world.
An estimated 3.5 to 5 billion people worldwide follow the game. That’s roughly half of the planet. To put that into perspective, the Super Bowl attracts around 125 million viewers, while El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid can attract hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide despite there being no championship trophy on the line.
The passion people have for soccer is extraordinary.
But beyond the numbers, what inspires me most are the children.
I’ve worked with children of all abilities, including children who are non-speaking or minimally verbal. I’ve seen faces light up when it’s time to play. I’ve watched confidence grow. I’ve seen communication improve. I’ve watched children surprise their parents, their coaches, and sometimes even themselves.
There are so many moments throughout the years that have reminded me that soccer is about far more than a game.
It’s about confidence.
It’s about friendships.
It’s about resilience.
It’s about learning how to navigate the world.
It’s about spending more time moving, playing, exploring, and connecting with people in the real world rather than sitting in front of a screen.
At GB Soccer School, we don’t believe soccer is just about learning how to kick a ball. We believe it’s about helping children develop confidence, friendships, healthy habits, and a lifelong love of movement.
The goal isn’t to eliminate screens completely.
The goal is to create a life that is exciting enough that children want to spend more time away from them.
If you’d like your child to experience the benefits of soccer, we’d love to welcome you to a class.
