right sport for children, so that they feel good. The benefits of sport for children seem obvious, but the science of sport is more complicated than it seems. For children, participation in physical activities when they are young can affect their entire lives, making it more important than it seems at first glance.
It doesn’t matter so much what activity your child is involved in, the important thing is that your child is active. That your child starts playing sports at an early age is very important, but so is being able to choose the right activity knowing the benefits it brings to his life. Remember that to choose it you must respect the tastes and interests of your children, and never force them to do something they do not want since it could create aversion.
But before choosing the right sport it is important to know and recognize what are the benefits that your children will have and enjoy from sports (whatever they choose).
Benefits of sport in children’s lives
The childhood obesity rate is growing around the world, so teaching children the benefit of sport is no longer just a value, it is becoming a necessity. Teaching children a healthy lifestyle is a priority and something that must remain in their lives in the short and long term. The benefits of sport will not only be felt as children, but it will be a habit that will become a part of your life.
Improves fine motor skills and gross motor skills
Fine motor skills will benefit (for example they will write better) and also gross motor skills (for example, the ability to catch a ball or move in balance). Sport helps physically improve in all aspects.
They acquire new sensory information
Children who play sports have to deal with new sensory information on a daily basis. In this sense, sport helps them in three different ways that are worth taking into account:
- First, a child is taught discipline: how to work towards success (this affects other aspects of children’s lives, as success is not only achieved in sport, but can be achieved with persistence in any area of life). Children who play sports are known to be more likely to be successful in school.
- Second, you build self-esteem. When a child plays the sport they love, and receives praise and encouragement from their parents, their coach, and other children… they will undoubtedly be building a much stronger self-esteem. Also, sport teaches children how to lose gracefully, that is, without frustration or bad manners. A lot of parents worry about whether their child’s trust will be broken if he loses or if things don’t go well … But actually losing is something all children should experience as it teaches them humility and allows them to appreciate more when win.
- Third, sport allows children to develop social skills, it will allow them to get to know others and also to get to know themselves better. Usually a child learns to relate to his peers and members of the closest family only. When you play sports, you are presented with the opportunity to meet new people, of different ages and origins, this improves your social skills and reduces shyness.