Benefits of Sports for Kids

 It is a well-known fact that lessons outside the classroom are as important for kids as those that happen inside it. One of the most fertile grounds for children’s development is the playground. Exercise and sports help physical development in children. But, just as important is the mental development potential it provides.



In this article, we look at the various benefits of sports for kids.

Why Sports is Important for Kids

  1. Physical fitness and the resulting better self-esteem.

  2. Lowered chances of being obese.

  3. Well developed, healthy bone structure.

  4. Stronger joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which will serve them well throughout life.

  5. Improved cardiovascular fitness.

  6. Improved coordination, like hand-eye coordination.

  7. Better balance.

  8. Better mental health, like more confidence and mental stamina.

  9. Greater interpersonal skills

  10. Learn to be a team player

  11. Learn leadership skills

  12. Ability to relax, therefore avoiding problems related to tense muscles, like backache and headache.

  13. Improved sleep

Other Values Children Learn Through Sports

  1. Understanding that winning and losing is a part of life.

  2. Respect for others.

  3. Honesty and integrity - understanding that cheating does not pay in the long run.

  4. Obeying rules.

  5. Listening to mentors/elders.

  6. Commitment to a common cause.

  7. Love for an active lifestyle.

How to Encourage Kids to be Active

  1. Show them how it’s done — by indulging in lots of activities yourself.

  2. Set aside time for physical activities, on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Examples are daily walks or runs, a weekly trip to the beach, and a trek every month.

  3. Don’t drive them everywhere. Motivate them to walk, or use their bicycle/skates when the distance isn’t too big.

  4. Encourage your child. Take them to sports camps or competitions. Be there every time they play a game. Cheer them on. And give them tips to improve.

  5. Help them improve their sports skills with exercises at home.

  6. Check out the options for physical activity at school.

  7. Talk to coaches and teachers to figure out the games that will suit your child.

  8. Also talk to your kids, to understand their interests.

  9. Limit time on electronic media to not more than 2 hours a day. 

Remember, that the Australian government’s recommendations for children state that youngsters and kids should spend at least an hour a day in moderate to vigorous physical activities every day. It also suggests restricting access to electronic forms of entertainment, particularly during daylight hours.

But, the unfortunate fact is that only 6 out of 10 Australians in the age range of 5 to 14 years are active in sports outside of school. As adults, the onus is on us to inculcate a love for physical activities among the children around us.
Location: Notting Hill VIC 3168, Australia

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why School Holiday Programs are a Cool Way for Kids to Learn

Image
  When schools are closed, as a parent you may be worried about what your kids will do all day. Will they mess up the house? Will they waste valuable time doing nothing constructive? Will they be up to mischief? Worse, will they be up to no good? Well, why worry when there are a whole bunch of school holiday programs to choose from? But, why pick a school holiday program in the first place? Benefits of School Holiday Programs for Kids It’s Fun! School holiday programs are almost like school, but without the boredom and performance pressure. The best holiday programs are all about learning. And kids are naturally curious - they love to learn new stuff — it just needs to be interesting and fun.  The best school holiday programs are engaging, and never boring. It’ll keep your child occupied, drain off that excess energy positively, and keep the grey cells ticking.  Different Challenges & Challengers Life is all about improving everyday. And improvement is maximised when...
Read more

Summer Camps in Australia

Image
Sunny, long days call for heaps of activity, especially for kids. It’s not right for them to be stuck inside the house, glued to a screen. And the best way to shake off the lethargy and drive excitement into them is by enrolling your kids into a summer camp. What are Summer Camps? While each is different, summer camps, in general, last for a few days to a week or two in Australia. They all involve some form of activity or the other. And they involve kids staying at the camp locations. Summer camps are great avenues for your kids to pursue a hobby, get better at a sport, learn something new, further a passion, or simply spend fun time with kids of the same age group.  Is a Summer Camp Good for Your Child? Summer Camps are not just for your child — they’re great!  Summer camps with a whole bunch of fun and games for your kid. Plus, it comes with a whole bunch of benefits that assist the all-round development of your kid. Here are the benefits: Social Skills Summer camps bring a ...
Read more

6 Tips to Help Your Child Achieve His/Her Dream of Becoming a Cricketer

Image
Is your kid cricket-obsessed? Does he have pictures of cricketers in his room? Does she twirl her arm like Shane Warne every time she moves from one room to another? Does he always pretend to be playing imaginary shots? Does she often practice the death-glare and slick sledging every time she bowls a bouncer? When your child loves the game, it’s up to you to check out his/her potential in the game. You need to give every opportunity to learn and grow so that they have every chance to fulfill their dream of becoming a cricketer. Here are 6 ways to encourage them to do well in the sport. Give Them the Right-sized Equipment The right equipment can make the difference between them growing in the game and losing interest. We’ve all seen kids holding bats that are nearly as tall as them. There’s no way they can succeed if their equipment is a few sizes too big.  Help Them Develop the Correct Techniques Developing the right technique at a young age will serve them well for a long time. It...
Read more