Growing kids need to expend energy, and they need some form of structure, which sports bring into the equation, and the sooner you can introduce a sport that the child likes to engage with, the better. In this short article, we take a closer look at what sports bring to children, from very young to adulthood.
Discipline
Let’s start with basketball for 4 year olds, as an example; the kids learn that there are rules and things you cannot do, which instils a level of discipline that can be built upon. Team sports in particular are great for developing discipline and fair play. Life also requires discipline, and sports are a fun way to gain this experience.
Physical Growth
Growing kids need hard physical activity, and playing sports is the best way to develop a level of fitness and stamina; the right diet enables muscle growth and playing in a team makes you try your best. Good health depends on regular exercise, and playing basketball or football 3 times a week is never going to hurt you; it will help you develop your body.
Justice and Fair Play
These are important moral aspects of a good human being; sports teach us that the rules must be respected and we should be graceful in defeat and humble in victory. One should never let emotion get the better of one when playing; if you see an unfair advantage or a foul, you should speak up. Here are a few tips for kids staying alone.
Leadership
If your son or daughter has leadership potential, playing sports will reveal it, and the team coach will nurture this, gradually giving the player more responsibility, allowing natural development. We need to experience a situation in order to learn from it, so becoming a captain is as much about losing as it is about winning.
Friendships
Your child will make many new friends when playing in a team, and some will go on to be lifelong relationships that enrich the lives of all concerned. Making new friends is part and parcel of growing up, and with sports, you obviously meet kids of your own age with similar interests.
Desire to Succeed
Sports motivate players; everyone wants to be part of a winning team, and this can transfer into the game of life, helping the young adult to achieve their goals. We all need motivation at different stages of our lives, and sport does bring opportunities for children to succeed beyond their wildest dreams.
Sacrifice
Players are always being asked to make sacrifices; it’s part of the game, and this builds character, which all young kids need. Many aspiring young athletes go on to compete at national and even international levels, an experience that shapes them for life.
If your young child is showing an interest in basketball or soccer, start them as young as you can, and with professional guidance, they will develop a love and a talent for a sport.