The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Sports for Your Child
- Updated on 11 Nov 2021
- Sports
- Mautushi Paul
Topic Index
Introduction
Choosing the perfect sports for your child can be a difficult decision. There are many options, and each one has its own unique benefits. Whether you want to teach them something new or keep them active, there is an option that will work perfectly for you. This blog post will explore some of the ways in which you can find your child’s ideal sport!
Why should children be involved in sports?
The benefits of sports are immense and it is the central reason why children must be involved in it. Being active helps children stay healthy, both physically and mentally. They will be less likely to suffer from obesity or develop heart disease later on in life. Kids who are involved in sports also have higher levels of self-esteem than their more sedentary counterparts. It also reduces the chances of your child losing interest in hobbies. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids who had participated in a sport within the last year were more likely to say they liked what they did on weekends, felt better about themselves, and got along with their parents.
What kind of sports are there?
There are so many different types of sports for kids out there! Some popular sports are basketball, soccer, tennis, and lacrosse. As a parent, the most important thing to do is choose a sport that their child will enjoy playing! For example, pick up hockey if your son or daughter likes ice skating. Another important factor in choosing the right sport is physical skill level. Speaking of factors, here are some of the ways in which you can help your child in picking the right sport!
Take your child to sports events
You will be able to make your child witness a variety of sports if you take them to events and tournaments. A child cannot learn all the sport at once, so when they’re exposed to so many sports, they might fall in love with one. Their hype will also increase as they witness live matches where the crowd will be cheering. This is a great way to get start your child’s sports interest.
See where your child’s enthusiasm lies
When you’re watching a football match, is your child very happy? Do they find some other sport boring? Then this is an amazing way to find out which sport they prefer. Watch out for signs about your child’s preferences. They may discuss the players or methods, or they may inform others about their experiences. In this way, you can figure out the sport that they’re curiously following.
Check whether your child likes individual or team sports
One of the first things to do is figure out if your child prefers individual or team sports. Some people like both, but some prefer one over the other. You’ll be able to find this out as you start paying more attention to them and their reactions while they’re watching something on TV or playing a game with friends.
Enroll them in any sports class
If your child has never tried any sports before, enroll them in a class. Even if they’re not interested in it for the long term, this can be helpful because you’ll have an idea of which sport they’d like to try next.
Get involved with their school’s extracurricular activities
Most schools offer some kind of extracurricular activities for kids. Join a soccer team, take karate lessons or sign up to coach the swim team. This method can be done only if you’re a sportsperson. If not, you can simply volunteer to check how your child’s activities in sports are.
Involve them in your own hobbies
If you enjoy running and biking on trails, invite your child along with you when they’re older enough and want to do something other than watch TV all day. If you’re good at basketball, then you and your child can give a tryout in the neighborhood court. Playing with parents will not only help them to love sports but also it will strengthen the bond.
Choose a sport based on your child’s fitness level
No matter how much your children want to try out, you need to check their fitness level. Let’s say for instance that they have low stamina, then involving them in running activities won’t be good. Rather if they’re flexible, then gymnastics would be ideal. If your child can’t run fast but run for a long time, then they’ll love marathons! So, check how your child’s fitness level is before picking a sport.
Ask them what they want to pursue
Let’s be direct and ask the child which sport he/she wants to play. This is an easy way but sometimes they might not have an answer. But if they do, then that’s great! But if they are clueless, then you can tell them about it to help them figure it out.
Find a sport based on age
Speaking of sports, the right way to choose is by checking the age-appropriate sport activities. If they are old enough, then it’s a good idea to sign them up for community sports leagues. But if not, then there are plenty of other activities that can be done such as watching their favorite team in person or attending a recreational class. If your child is 5 years old, then you can involve them in sports that have less contact like swimming. It won’t cause them any hurt and they’ll also be able to increase their fitness.
Check up with a doctor
If you’re still not sure about the sport they should do, then it’s best to consult with their doctor. They’ll be able to tell you what sports are good for them and which ones will hurt them or cause injury. It will also help you to figure out whether involving your child in a sport is a good idea after all.
Final thoughts
The important concept while considering sports is your child’s interest. If your child does not show any enthusiasm towards sports, then do not force them. Don’t try to impose your personal preferences or talk about how you were sportive back then. Your child might become a music prodigy if that’s where their interest is. So with all these said, we hope you’re now able to choose the right one.
Also Read:
Why are sports and games important in schools?
How Parents Can Help Children Participate in Team Sports
The importance of teaching children teamwork and sportsmanship
