Kids nowadays are getting increasingly hooked to computer games and PSPs plus the television simply adds on to the woes of the parents. There is a constant deviation from physical exercises amongst the kids leaving parents worried. As news about obesity amongst kids rises as among the biggest plagues to haunt children, parents watch out for ways and opportunities to get their children involved in some sports activity.
Studies show that playing a selected sport has a number of other benefits for the kids in addition besides the usual health and fitness benefits. Not only do sports keep kids active, it helps them concentrate better, improves their social skills and helps them learn and practice sportsmanship. However, to be able to establish a childs involvement in a specific sport it truly is imperative that one first analyzes the youngsters age, size, ability, general interest and skills. Not all kids are natural athletes and it is crucial that we first be aware of the cause of their dislike for sports.
Sports is usually a turn-off for kids for a large number of reasons. One of the primary factors that keeps kids from trying out a specific sport is that they’re still at a phase when they are developing their basic skills.
Children below six to seven years of age have shorter attention spans and don’t have the capacity to grasp the intricacies of the rules that are required to play organized sports. When children reach this age they are able to understand the sport better and need to practice in order to get a hang of the game. The hits and misses while understanding how to play can lead to frustration and an ensuing disinterest.
It also has been noted that some children are unwilling to play team sports because they seem to be too competitive for the kids. Sports including football, baseball are rigorous and centered on winning which can unnerve them. Maintaining a positive environment ensures that the children remain motivated and interested.
At times children are still undecided upon the sport of their choice. They could be more at ease playing individual sports rather than team sports. It is best to let the child explore his or her interests and decide on their own. Self consciousness can certainly be another very significant deterrent. Physical attributes play a critical part in this as smaller kids are likely to feel more intimidated. It’s very important so as to channelize the childs energies in the right direction and keep them from getting frustrated.
Some of the best sports for getting kids involved with are basketball, baseball, football, ice hockey and soccer amongst team sports and gymnastics, horse riding, skating and soccer amongst individual sports. Parents must realize that imposing a particular sporting activity upon a child certainly won’t aid in developing the childs affinity for the game.
As soon as the child discovers his or her own interest, they are going to find their own league. Infact, the emphasis needs to be on kids getting enough physical activity in the form of any exercise, be it sports or free play. This initial patience when exercised can lead to long term benefits by helping your child develop his or her interest in a sports activity that could last a lifetime.