5 Best Sports for Kids
Playing a sport can teach kids valuable life lessons that they can’t learn anywhere else. Not only do they get to go outside and burn off some energy, but they develop social skills by being an active team member, and learn how to keep a good attitude even when they lose. Nothing in life is done solo. Every action you take affects someone else either directly or indirectly. It’s important for kids to start seeing how they fit together with their own peer group, which can help them see their own strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your weakness, then you know what you need to do to grow.
- Soccer: In soccer, kids will learn agility, balance, and fine motor skills, along with the rules of the game. You have to be quick on your feet, and you’re constantly moving. Kids will learn how to communicate to each other and to think on the fly when they need to make snap decisions about where to pass the ball. You get up close and personal with the opposing team, which forces kids to learn how to address someone coming at them head on.
- Basketball: This is another sport where the kids will be constantly moving. There is little down time, which is great for getting the heart pumping. Basketball helps develop some agility as well, especially when cutting and dodging opponents on the court. You’re also a part of a team where you have to communicate and work together to win. Kids will also learn how to rhythmically dribble the ball, which is a great way to improve eye-hand coordination.
- Hockey: Balance and coordination are important skills kids learn while playing hockey. You have to learn how to maneuver well on skates to cut and chase after the puck. Then, you also have to learn how to handle your hockey stick without hitting others. It is a challenge for your mind and body to control many different things at one time. There are pads and helmets because sometimes players will bump into each other and the wall. This sport can get a little more physical than others, which can teach your child confidence and how to stand their ground. It will teach them not to back down when things get difficult, but to hunker down and stick with it to the end.
- Swim: Swim team is a great solo sport, though you still have a collective group score. There’s little to no contact at all, and you are racing against the clock. Kids will learn effective swimming techniques that they can use for the rest of their lives. When you swim, you use every single muscle in your body to move forward. It’s also a challenging cardio exercise because you have to control your breathing by holding your breath. Kids will learn coordination, they will gain confidence in the water, and they can focus on making personal improvements. It’s easier to see results and changes when you have a clock to record your efforts, making this the perfect sport for goal-oriented kids. Over the course of a swim season, you can look back and see how much better you’ve gotten by seeing how much time you shaved off of a distance swim.
- Football: The American classic sport of football is usually one that boys flock to. Kids love this sport for the close camaraderie, the high physical contact, and the fast pace of the game. There are times where you get to rest and regroup, and times where you sprint and tackle opponents. Constant close contact may make some parents nervous, but it can be an important learning tool for kids. Football teaches kids about confrontation, how to address problems head on, and it can give them confidence. Besides, the padding and helmets nowadays are miles ahead of where they were even 10 years ago.
Sports are a great way for your child to get involved in school and make new friends. They will learn to develop important life skills while doing something they love. Sports can also be a great way for parents to get involved in their child’s life. Play along or cheer them on whenever you get the chance! You have something that bonds you together, and you can watch your child grow and learn alongside them. It’s ok if they fall down once or twice. The most important thing to them is that you are there supporting them in what they want to do.