SPORTS: MORE THAN JUST FUN
Do sports make a difference in the lives of kids?
Sports are great fun, and they’re also good for kids in many other ways. Kids who play sports build strong
bodies, acquire skills, learn how to get along with others, how to handle winning and losing, how to solve
problems and develop a sense of competence and solid self-esteem. In addition, it has been shown that kids
who play sports have less anxiety and depression and are less likely to become involved in risky behaviors such
as sex and drugs.
How to make your child’s sports experience successful
o Introduce your child to a sport appropriate for his or her interests. For the young child don’t focus on rules,
keeping score or competition. A beginning sport should get the child using her body and moving and
equipment should be easy to handle. School age children enjoy games with rules, and they are concerned
about how they are judged by others. Teamwork helps them master skills and learn about cooperation,
taking turns, and respecting their peers. For adolescents sports provide further opportunities to use their
abilities in communication, negotiation and leadership.
o Encourage your child to try a number of sports and not to think of playing competitively until middle
school. Ideally the best sports program for kids, starting at about the age of l0, would be one individual
sport and one team sport per academic year.
o Be sure the physical requirements of the sport are within the capabilities of your child. Early specialization
and too much practice and play may result in injuries due to overuse of certain parts of the body.
o Remember, organized team sports are not for all children. Children have many other options; they can be
encouraged to try sports such as bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, fencing, or martial arts.
Do sports make a difference in the lives of kids?
Sports are great fun, and they’re also good for kids in many other ways. Kids who play sports build strong
bodies, acquire skills, learn how to get along with others, how to handle winning and losing, how to solve
problems and develop a sense of competence and solid self-esteem. In addition, it has been shown that kids
who play sports have less anxiety and depression and are less likely to become involved in risky behaviors such
as sex and drugs.
How to make your child’s sports experience successful
o Introduce your child to a sport appropriate for his or her interests. For the young child don’t focus on rules,
keeping score or competition. A beginning sport should get the child using her body and moving and
equipment should be easy to handle. School age children enjoy games with rules, and they are concerned
about how they are judged by others. Teamwork helps them master skills and learn about cooperation,
taking turns, and respecting their peers. For adolescents sports provide further opportunities to use their
abilities in communication, negotiation and leadership.
o Encourage your child to try a number of sports and not to think of playing competitively until middle
school. Ideally the best sports program for kids, starting at about the age of l0, would be one individual
sport and one team sport per academic year.
o Be sure the physical requirements of the sport are within the capabilities of your child. Early specialization
and too much practice and play may result in injuries due to overuse of certain parts of the body.
o Remember, organized team sports are not for all children. Children have many other options; they can be
encouraged to try sports such as bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, fencing, or martial arts.
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