Why Is It So Important To Play A Sport As A Child?

Practicing a sport gives children several benefits that are important for their development. There are many reasons why this is true, ranging from physical health to emotional self-realization.

Practicing a sport during childhood is an important part of a child’s overall education because physical and psychological development go hand in hand. Therefore, the sport contributes to children’s healthy growth.

Sports give children much more than a little entertainment and pastime. Doctors and psychologists confirm that children develop a better quality of life if they participate in sports.

The effects of playing a sport during childhood last a lifetime. Children who get into the habit of practicing a sport early will surely maintain it as they get older.

Exercising a sport can protect them from many health-related risk factors caused by a sedentary lifestyle. It can also prevent diseases such as obesity and heart disease.

UNESCO advocates sports during childhood

According to UNESCO, it is a vital human right to play a sport during childhood. The organization emphasizes that children must be able to participate in sports without discrimination.

UNESCO suggests that governments and other organizations should promote measures that benefit children’s sports.

Benefits of practicing a sport during childhood

• It promotes physical health and prevents heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity.
• It stimulates the development of muscles and bones.
• Practicing a sport creates bonds and friendships with others. Sport teaches them to adapt to the social rules of the world outside the home.
• It stimulates the development of social skills. Children learn to accept other children without social, cultural or economic discrimination. It also teaches them the importance of working together to achieve results.

• It helps children overcome personal problems such as shyness.
• Sport helps to strengthen their self-esteem. Children learn the value they have and realize that their participation is important to the team.
• Sport also keeps children away from sedentary lifestyles. It is also a great way to counteract excessive use of technology, video games, mobile phones and computers.
• It is a good way to promote contact with children with different abilities and disabilities.
• Sport helps prevent common addictions during adolescence such as drug abuse, alcoholism and smoking. In addition, it reduces the risk that they will embark on that path in the future.
• It helps to stimulate creativity and problem solving.

• Sport teaches children to take responsibility and the importance of accomplishing something.

Sports for children of different ages

As children grow, their bodies and minds have different needs and requirements. This is an aspect that we must take into account when deciding which sports they may choose.

What the children want is very important. The family can make a list of options that suit their financial opportunities, time and schedule.

When the list is complete, it is best if the children themselves are responsible for choosing the sport that they appreciate the most.

• 3-5 years. During these years, the sport they choose must have a lot of activity. Children can learn many things by playing and playing. That is why the business they choose should include free components. Stories, scenes or special costumes can help stimulate children’s imagination.

This is an appropriate step for them to develop their coordination and balance through sports. Three to four hours a week of physical activity is recommended.

• 6-10 years. During this stage, children should be allowed to try several sports so that they can decide which one they like best. Judo, karate, cycling, rhythmic gymnastics, tennis, football, basketball and volleyball are all good options.

When playing sports during childhood, it is important to eliminate competition. It is true that there must be a winner, but children should be able to value their sport simply as a leisure activity and play.

• During puberty and adolescence. This is a period when they will undergo radical changes physically, mentally and emotionally.

Sports will allow them to follow the optimal development of their personality. It will also strengthen their self-esteem and help them feel at home in their bodies during this great stage of transformation.

If they have already played sports since childhood, they will be able to choose which sport they want to spend more time on during puberty.

Safety when playing sports during childhood

It is important to make the conditions as safe as possible when children play sports. Safety refers to both the children’s physical safety and the people responsible for the activity.

Knowing the basic concepts about the sport, the physical conditions and the children’s exposure to risk factors, will prevent them from getting hurt.