Home » Getting Your Child Interested in Sports (Guest Post)

Getting Your Child Interested in Sports (Guest Post)

Most
parents are interested in encouraging their children to be active and
healthy. The benefits of playing sports for children are well
documented. Their
physical health
will be improved and they can gain valuable
social skills in the process. If you encourage your child to get
involved with sports early, you are setting them up for healthy
physical habits throughout their lifetime. Think of the benefits for
their muscles and bones, weight control, better sleeping habits, and
the decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.


Confidence
Boosts


Playing
a sport can vastly improve your child’s self-confidence and allow
them to feel real pride when they achieve something. Learning to
stick with a certain sport or activity is important because it
teaches children the importance of practice and hard work when
achieving their goals. An element of competition can be beneficial
and being part of team can increase feelings of belonging and a sense
of cooperation. Playing a sport can also foster valuable skills like
responsibility, as they must care for their equipment and attend
practices and training sessions.


Let
Them Choose


It
might take a while for your child to settle on the sport that is most
suited to them, so allow them to try a range of different activities.
After all, they won’t know what they really want to do unless
they’ve tried it. Don’t be disheartened if your child doesn’t
hit upon their preferred sport immediately and try not to push them
towards a particular activity that is more about your personal
preference than theirs. If they don’t feel passionately about the
sport, they are much less likely to stick at it.


The
Cool Factor


If
your child doesn’t show interest in a traditional team sport like
football, netball, rugby or hockey, perhaps suggest a more
alternative activity. Skateboarding, BMX biking and rollerblading
have gained a great deal of popularity in recent years, think about
pro-skateboarder Tony Hawke and Drew Barrymore’s feel-good roller
derby hit
Whip
It.
It’s
easy to find the equipment and clothing necessary online, from sites
like
Skate
Hut
.


Expense


To
participate in many sports, your child will need the right kit and
equipment. Some activities will prove more costly than others and
will depend on the facilities that are available in your home town.
For example, there’s not much use in encouraging your children to
try figure skating or ice hockey if there’s no rink nearby. Your
job as a parent is to be as encouraging as possible and to
financially support your child’s sporting passion as much as
reasonably possible. 

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4 Comments

  1. Pam L
    December 24, 2013 / 3:28 pm

    My children are active in every activity I can find. I feel the busier they are the less trouble they can get into. I also believe it helps build social relations tremendously.Plus I think it teaches them to lose or win gracefully.

  2. AMY
    December 26, 2013 / 5:18 pm

    My girls were not really interested in team sports, but found they love karate.

  3. Shelly Peterson
    December 26, 2013 / 9:00 pm

    This is a great post with great information. My grandson is getting to the age of being able to play sports, will pass this on to my daughter.

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