Physical activity is essential for children. Not only is it one of the best ways to fight America's severe childhood obesity epidemic, but getting one or more hours of physical activity a day, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can help promote a healthy and healthy life. -to be.

Fortunately, most children have a natural need to play, and signing them up for sports is a great way to harness all that natural energy and transform it into something even greater.

“The importance of physical activity for children is undeniable and frankly neglected when children do not have the opportunity to participate in this invaluable resource in life,” says Michelle M. Miller, founder of My First Workout in Tallahassee, Florida.

From T-ball to gymnastics, organized children's sports can benefit children in all five key areas of development: physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and moral. Miller cites benefits including:

Enhanced strength.

< >Improved self-esteem.Improved critical thinking skills.Improved self-discipline.Greater awareness of good and evil.kids sports academy Dar es salaam, parents are much more than carpool drivers. It is up to you to help your children choose not only sports appropriate for their age and personality, but also to help lay the foundation for physical conditioning from an early age.

“Take very young children to the playgrounds and let them play, and teach older children basic bodyweight and weight-training exercises and simple forms of cardiovascular activity, such as walking, swimming, or biking,” he says. Miller. "When you establish this kind of foundation for a child, the chances that they want to take their fitness to the next level by joining a sports team are much greater."

Best sports for kids under 5

Most parents of preschoolers can confirm that they have a seemingly endless supply of energy. They love to run, jump, and play games, but are still honing skills like hand-eye coordination and the ability to follow rules. Children in this age group tend to benefit the most from activities that help develop fundamental gross motor skills.

For this age group, Miller also suggests leaning toward activities that:

They are not overly structured, time consuming, or complicated.

Help develop self-control, body awareness, and self-confidence - skills that will come in handy when your child is ready for organized sports from sports academy Dar es salaam.

These are the years when parent training through encouragement, mind programming, support, and leading by example becomes the foundation of a lifetime of activity and improves the chances that children will want to practice. a sport later, ”says Miller.

Some fun initiation sports for kids under 5 that Miller recommends include:

< >Gymnastics.Swimming.Riding a bicycle.Karate.Football.football academy Dar es salaam," she says. "Mastering a new skill that is appropriate for their age will build confidence and motivate them to keep going."

Dr. Natasha Trentacosta, a paediatric and adult sports medicine specialist and orthopaedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, recommends martial arts for young children.

"From a physical point of view, any individual can learn the movements and move at her own pace," she says. “It encourages control and awareness of the body and improves the quality of movement. From a psychological point of view, it encourages discipline, commitment and control ”.

Rebekah Springs, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Portland, Oregon, recommends activities like gymnastics for the preschool group.

"It gives younger children a sense of mastery and confidence in their body, and children who are confident in their bodies also begin to have more confidence in social skills, academics, and planning ahead," says Springs. "So it's a complete benefit!"

Whichever sport you choose for beginners, try to keep the pressure down. Springs cautions parents not to expect too much from children in their early years.

"At this age, her child may not be developmentally ready to enjoy organized sports," she says. “So if they say they hate football or spend money picking flowers, don't worry! This does not mean that your child does not like sports, he just may not be ready. "

Best sports for kids ages 5-12

Children's physical abilities will continue to develop as they age, as will their individual interests. At this stage, it's a great idea to let them explore various activities while helping guide them toward sports that are best suited to their age, personality, and abilities, as well as factors like your family's time and budget.

"For school-age children, sports provide a physical outlet, a model for healthy competition and teamwork, and a sense of ownership and identity," says Springs.

It's not uncommon for kids in this age range to get frustrated by a challenging sport and want to quit, which is why helping them select activities that suit them is so important. Choosing an activity that is inappropriate for your age or abilities can result in boredom or loss of interest. Parents can help their children stay involved by guiding them as the coach guide their children in children summer camp Dar es salaam toward activities in which they can feel successful.

Team sports are all popular in this age range, which may include:

< >Basketball.Baseball.Football.Soccer.Volleyball.Track and field.Tennis.Martial arts.Golf.Horseback riding.Dance.children sports academy Dar es salaam, sports can become more expensive and time-consuming for families, and this is where conversations about the level of engagement often come into play. More travel requirements and private lessons can quickly increase the average cost of the sport and increase the time commitment needed by the athlete and parents. But participation in sports still has great benefits, such as being an attractive feature on college applications.

Some of the most expensive sports to play at a competitive level, with the most expensive leagues often in the winter season, include:

< >Ice Hockey.Lacrosse.Football.Baseball.Track or cross country.Swimming.

Although older children may be drawn to a select sport, Miller cautions against overuse injuries that can occur as a result of sports specialization.

“Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all athletic injuries for middle and high school students, and since 2000, there has been a five-fold increase in the number of serious shoulder and elbow injuries among soccer players. youth baseball and softball, according to Stop Sports Injuries. "Says Miller. “Different sports challenge the body in different ways and ultimately produce a more well-rounded athlete. As long as various sports contribute positively to a child's quality of life, I don't see the need to limit participation. "

However, as more demands are placed on the body through multiple sports, parents should remember that adequate rest and proper nutrition are essential to maintain peak performance and reduce the chances of injury.

"The right balance should be the main focus right now," says Miller. “Sports shouldn't be a job for children, but neither should physical activity be tolerated. Children having fun and learning all the life lessons of sports, without sports consuming the lives of the players or the family, is the perfect balance. "