Sports and activities

Taking L to his football practice once a week has been very interesting and it really made my mind spin around the subject of choosing the right activities for the child. I've been watching his interactions on the football field and how he participates in the game as this is his first real introduction to team sports. He happily comes a long to football practice and he likes putting on his football clothes. He has a friend there who goes to the same school and they seem to really like each other, so to me it's mostly a good experience. What I've noticed tho and what I think has been interesting is that he doesn't seem to be very interested in the "game". I thought a lot about his personality and weather football really suits him or not and while I think it's good to think about his personality and interests I realized we can't possibly know that yet. The best thing for him is to be given the freedom of trying out different kinds of things and parents who listens to his will and observes his needs right?(which his parents totally does btw, here's to great parents!). Besides, from what I've seen and heard from parents and children is that weather children like an activity or not depends mostly on the teachers and the group. It's not so much "does he like the sport?" but more, "does he get along with the teachers?", and "does he like the team he's in?". The truth, and what should be a pretty obvious truth, is that 5 year olds still have a lot to discover about their individual preferences and personal interests. I think it's more important that sports and activities are driven by good inspiring people rather than what particular activity it is. I think that's really how you end up inlove with a certain sport, keeping in mind that every child has a different story.

I was also interested in age groups and how old children usually are when they are ready for team sports particularly cos I could see he didn't understand the competitive spirit very well. His friends all of the sudden starts screaming and acting a bit rude taking the ball from him. He understands the idea when it is explained to him, but it's like he doesn't agree with it somehow and I read that the most common age when children are ready to comprehend the competitive sports are mostly 6-7 and if a child starts at age five it is important that the activity is still very playful and fun and less serious yet, as the motor skills are advanced enough but not yet the capacity to understand the social games, like the competitive side of it in particular, and what it means to be a part of a team.

 

Here is what I read and found very helpful with my thoughts on activities and what to consider, not only when choosing them but also how to listen and observe the child. After all, the most important thing is that the child enjoys it. A happy child will benefit so much more from what the sport has to offer in terms of different areas of development, than a child who does not enjoy it. This comes from the website: http://kidshealth.org

 

The Benefits of Sports.

Organized sports can help kids grow in many ways. From soccer to fencing, sports offer chances for kids to learn and master skills, work with their peers and coaches, and challenge themselves in a safe environment. They learn the value of practice and the challenge of competition. And on top of all that, sports provide natural and fun opportunities for kids to get regular exercise.

But before signing kids up for sports, parents should consider a child's personality and developmental level to help ensure that being involved in sports is a positive experience for everyone.

When Should Kids Start Playing Sports?

As you think about signing kids up for sports, consider how emotionally and physically ready they are to participate. Signing up too early can end up being frustrating for everyone, and can turn kids off from sports for good.

Although there are sports programs designed for preschoolers, it's not until about age 6 or 7 that most kids develop the appropriate physical skills or the attention span needed to listen to directions and grasp the rules of the game. While preschoolers can throw and run, it usually takes some time before they can coordinate the two skills. And it usually isn't until kindergarten or first grade that kids grasp concepts like "taking turns" that are crucial to many sports.

That doesn't mean kids can't play sports when they're younger. Sports can be fun for toddlers and kindergartners, but they should be less about competition and more about having fun opportunities to be active. So even if young kids inadvertently score a goal for the other team or spend the entire game chasing butterflies, as long as they're enjoying it, that's OK.

If you do decide to sign your 5-year-old up for a team, be sure to choose a league that emphasizes fun and basic skills.

Choosing the Right Sport.

If kids show an interest in a sport, try to let them do it. You may be worried that your child will get hurt, particularly in a contact sport like football, but as long as the coach requires players to use the correct safety gear, your doctor OK's it, and your child is matched up with other kids of the same size and ability, go ahead. Even if the sport doesn't turn out to be a good fit, your child will learn much from the experience.

When choosing a sport, consider your child's unique temperament. Some kids are naturally inclined toward team sports, while others may feel more comfortable in activities where the focus is on individual efforts. There's something for everyone — from soccer and baseball for team-oriented kids, to tennis, fencing, karate, dancing, and swimming for kids who'd rather go solo.

Don't be surprised if it takes a few tries — or a few seasons — to find the sport that's right for your child. It often takes time for kids to figure out which activities they enjoy.

Some kids may just not be interested in team sports, but they can still keep fit by engaging in other activities that don't emphasize competition. No matter what they choose, kids should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.

When Kids Want to Quit.

However kids feel when they enroll for a season of sports, there may come a time when they want to quit. If your child comes to you with this plea, try to find the reason behind it. It may have to do with something small and fixable, like a bad-fitting uniform, or it may be a bigger issue, like how comfortable your child feels with the coach or the kids on the team. It could also be that your child just doesn't enjoy the sport.

Is it OK to let kids quit? If your child is on a team that depends on his or her participation, you may want to explain the importance of sticking it out for the season. If that's not the case, then think about what you want your child to get out of the experience, and how quitting would affect that.

When kids are over-scheduled or unhappy, quitting may be the right thing. But it's still important for all kids to be physically active every day, even if they're no longer playing an organized sport.




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