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, ta...