For many parents, part of the joy of having a walking, talking toddler is the fact that you can finally enroll your child in sports. You’ve likely been dreaming for years of seeing your son wearing a football uniform or watching your daughter wield a bat. And now, the time has come! Game on! Plus, you know deep down inside that your son has natural talent, the kind that is so entrenched he or she will become a superstar someday. Right? And hey, there are definitely benefits to involving your child in sports.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of sports is exercise. Children today do not get the exercise they need daily to stay healthy. In fact, with childhood obesity rates at all-time highs, and more children under the age of 10 being considered overweight than ever before, a little exercise is definitely not going to hurt your child. Not to mention that in many schools today, physical education and recess times are being cut, leaving the responsibility of providing exercise completely up to parents. A soccer, football, dance, softball, baseball, or gymnastics program can be the perfect solution.
The Many Benefits of Sports for Children
Another obvious benefit of having your child involved in sports is enjoyment. Most children will enjoy the outlet that an athletic program provides. Of course, as a parent, it is your job to make sure the program is age-appropriate. Until children are at least 7 or 8, parents should avoid pushing highly competitive programs, such as the ever-popular traveling sports teams. Even for children aged 7-8, the stress of constant competition and pressure to perform can take the fun out of the game. For most children, it takes years to excel in sports, and competency isn’t achieved until they are in middle or high school. Enter the sports program with the foremost expectation that it should be fun!
From a developmental perspective, team sports also offer children the opportunity to move beyond their egotistical mindset. Games and sports all have rules and boundaries. Team sports require the participation and cooperation of all members. This helps even very young children transition from thinking that life revolves around them to realizing that other people matter too. The boundaries in sports help children understand not just the importance, but also the prominence of rules that govern life both on and off the sports field or arena.
Young children involved in sports learn about sharing, taking turns, and building friendships. Additionally, if the program is coached or taught by competent adults, children can learn to trust and respect other adults, finding mentors outside of their familial circle. This is an often overlooked yet powerful benefit of being involved in sports. Many parents may hold back children who are extremely timid or shy, fearing they aren’t ready. However, for these children in particular, joining a team and having compassionate mentors can help them overcome shyness.
As your child gets older, the lessons that come with sports become invaluable. Many people refer to patience, practice, and persistence as the three P’s to success in life. As your child strives for excellence, they learn that success takes hard work—and they are given the choice to pursue the three P’s. Parents should use sports to instill this desire for success in children, but should avoid applying a fourth P… pressure. Allow children to make mistakes, skip practice, and see the results, so they can learn from their own experiences how important these qualities are—not just in sports, but also in life.
Let’s fast forward to the teen years, where the benefits of keeping your child busy with sports become even more invaluable. Research shows that teens who actively participate in athletic or extracurricular programs at least 1-2 times per week tend to have higher school scores, are less likely to engage in drugs or alcohol, spend less time on the computer, are less likely to engage in unprotected sex, and experience better overall physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, sports help children become more self-confident and gain social acceptance within peer groups—important assets for your child’s life.
The benefits your child will gain from being involved in athletics are varied and numerous. Just remember, as a parent, it’s equally important to focus on the lessons sports can teach, rather than solely on concepts of winning and losing. Allow your child to participate to the extent that they are comfortable and enjoy the experience. Whether you choose to sit on the sidelines or become part of the coaching staff, always ensure that your child is involved in a program that they enjoy! Don’t underestimate a child’s ability to feel ‘silent’ pressure from you, as they may sense deep down that they are participating in something YOU want them to do.
One more tip for parents! Try not to lock your child into just one sport. If your daughter is an amazing softball player, encourage her to try basketball, tennis, or golf. In other words, don’t limit your child to one activity too soon; let them test the waters. Until children are much older, they don’t truly realize they can play multiple sports. By giving them a variety of options and ensuring they have fun, you will set the tone for a lifelong love of sports.
