They’re 5 to 7. They don’t know what tryouts are. They’ve never felt the weight of wanting something they might not get.
Don’t change anything the night before. Don’t have a serious talk. Don’t say “do your best” three times with a meaningful look. Don’t put them through a little practice in the backyard. Don’t tell them stories about your youth sports success.
Get them to bed on time. Same dinner, same routine. If they ask what tryouts are, tell them: “You’re going to play some games and have some fun with [coach name]. Just play hard like you always do.”
If they say they’re nervous, listen. Don’t fix it or pep-talk it away. Say: “Yeah, new things can feel funny. You’re going to be fine. Let’s get ready for bed.” Move on.
This age is too young to carry your expectations. If you treat it like a big deal, they hear that your love for them might be conditional on how they perform. That’s heavy for a 6-year-old.
Treat it like a normal day. Because it is.
If they don’t make the team, they won’t remember tomorrow. They’ll remember how you acted about it today. Low-key parent energy is the only energy that works here.