Did you know that regular exercise reduces obesity, increases immunity, and improves balance, cognitive function, and coordination? If that ain’t enough to get your kids involved in sports, then we don’t know what is!
Plus, being a team player is all part of life, right? It teaches us how to communicate, listen to others and work together towards common goals – both on and off the pitch.
Parents who get their kids involved in sports hand them the keys to a healthier future. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re interested in learning more, best you continue reading!
The Upsides Of Sports Participation
Every parent wants their kids to be happy, healthy and physically fit. And, being involved in sports may just be the ticket! The upside of physical activity is that it improves kids’ overall health, like fitness, the ability to fight off germs, and coordination. Plus, studies show it’s an effective way to curb depression and manage stress.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the benefits of kids participating in sports.
Physical health
Improved fitness, coordination and overall health
Regular physical activity is important for children’s growth and development. It’s also a super effective way to keep kids (and us parents!) healthy. Some studies even suggest it can prevent chronic diseases just as effectively as medication!
Regular exercise boosts immune system function and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline (e.g. dementia, Alzheimer’s), and other health issues, such as:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation)
- Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
- Osteoporosis
There’s no doubt that sports and strength training, like squats, pushups and core exercises, help build strong muscles and bones and boost fitness levels. Balance and coordination? You’ll be amazed how much this improves!
Developing lifelong healthy habits
Getting kids into sports early is like planting a seed for a healthy future. Kids who play sports are more likely to stay active as adults. Not to mention, active kids are less obese. In fact, teens who play sports are eight times more likely to be active at 24 than those who don’t.
Want to hear something scary? From 30 onwards – our bodies naturally lose 3-5% of muscle each decade. It’s called sarcopenia (a type of muscle atrophy) and makes everyday things a little harder.
But the good news is, sports and regular exercise in general can help prevent this. By getting our kids active now, we’re not just helping them today – we’re setting them up for a healthier, stronger future!
Fun fact: In 2022, 92% of Northern Ireland’s primary school students participated in school sports outside of PE at least once a week – almost a 30% increase since 2018!
Mental and emotional health
Building self-esteem, resilience, and stress management skills
Getting kids involved in sports is like handing them a secret weapon in the fight against mental health issues. Sports are a powerful tool for building self-esteem, resilience, and better stress management.
Here are a few examples:
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- Self-esteem – when kids smash their training session or land an epic score at their dance recital. Public praise from teammates, coaches, and parents boosts kids’ confidence like you have no idea!
- Resilience – when kids aren’t picked for the team they hoped to make but put their heads down and practise until they do.
- Stress management – being able to release built-up tension and stress will naturally help kids feel better, thanks to the release of endorphins. Boxing bag, anyone?
Let’s explain: Exercise and being outside releases endorphins (that “feel good” feeling) and increases the intake of vitamin D. These chemicals are the link between physical activity and psychological benefits, reducing the symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.
Enhancing social skills and teamwork
Whether your kid’s a solo star in sports like swimming, karting, or ballet, or they thrive in the team spirit of football or netball, they’re learning what life is all about. Things like discipline, not giving up, teamwork, peer interaction, and communication are life skills they’ll use forever.
Participating in sports teaches our kids the importance of setting and achieving goals and may provide opportunities to stand out as natural-born leaders. Who knows, maybe you’re raising the next David Beckham or Serena Williams, or setting them up for a university scholarship!
Through sport, youngsters can find their tribe – a group of like-minded people who share similar interests. It’s a brilliant way to meet and make new friends outside school.
Choosing The Right Sport For Our Kids
Picking the perfect sport for our children is a big decision. But don’t worry, it’s all about finding something they love that suits their personality. Some kids might take to football like a duck to water, while others might hate it.
Here are a few suggestions:
Assessing interests and abilities
- Let kids have a say! Talk to them about what they enjoy and what sport they’d be keen to try. Are they begging to join a football club? Let them have a go. Doing cartwheels around the garden? Maybe gymnastics is worth a try.
- Think about your kids’ strengths and weaknesses. Is your child super agile or a natural-born leader? These things can help guide you towards sports that might be a good fit.
- Don’t pressure your child. Never push your favourite sport onto your kids, even if you were semi-professional back in the day. This will only cause friction and make your child feel pressured to make you happy.
Exploring options
- Give them options. Introduce your kids to a number of different sporting activities like dancing, golf, tennis, hockey, and cricket. You never know – they might surprise you with their hidden talents! This is a great way to discover what they are passionate about.
- Team player or lone ranger? We get it; team sports aren’t for everyone, but they do instil invaluable life skills, like working together and being a part of a team. Individual sports like ballet, cross-country, or horse riding help build independence and resilience. It ultimately comes down to what your child enjoys.
Encouraging Participation: Getting Kids Involved
Even after reading all the benefits of playing sports and why it’s important, we may still battle to get our kids involved. But with the right approach, we can encourage a positive environment that boosts their participation.
Creating a positive environment
The most important thing is to make sports fun.
- Cheer them on, no matter how they perform.
- Offer unconditional support and celebrate their efforts, not just the outcome.
- Let them know you’re proud of their hard work and determination.
Emphasise the importance of fair play, respect for their opponents and being graceful in victory and defeat – nobody likes a sore loser! Teach your kids that setbacks teach us how to bounce back and try again.
And, most importantly, lead by example. If you’re getting upset and flapping your arms about in rage, your kids will pick up how NOT to react during game time. Be a good sport (pun intended) because little eyes are always watching and little ears are always listening…
Balancing sports and academics
Sports are great, but school work is important too. Help your child create a schedule that accommodates all of their commitments, including [caring for pets] and carving out some alone time.
This might mean:
- Late afternoon training sessions.
- Limited screen time during the week.
- Extra homework on a Saturday morning – to keep up with everything.
Encourage your kids to set realistic goals in both sports and academics to keep them motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
The key is to find a balance that works for your kids – not to overwhelm them. The goal is to raise well-rounded, competent individuals who excel both on and off the pitch. Our children should focus on progress rather than perfection – and remember that practice makes perfect!
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Kids Sports Participation: Advice From The Experts
So, we’ve told you that it’s a good idea to get kids involved in sports. But don’t just take our word for it – here’s what Sport England has to say:
“Building positive attitudes to sport and physical activity in children from an early age can help them to feel more motivated, confident and able to get active throughout their life.”
The Conversation Continues
Sports participation offers a gazillion benefits for our kids, from improving their cardiovascular fitness and boosting their immunity to kicking feelings of anxiety and depression to the curb.
Give kids the option to explore many sports, from team sports like football and cricket to solo endeavours like archery, boxing or snowboarding. Don’t pressure them and also be their biggest supporter – whether they win or lose.
What sports do your kids play and how did you encourage their participation? Join the discussion and leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
We’d love to hear what you think…
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