How Sports Benefit Kids
By Rachel Shouse
Sports are a huge part of quite a few families. They gather together to watch them and enjoy each other. Food is made and eaten. Laughs are had. It can be a lot of fun. Kids are built to have fun. So it's no wonder that kids sports have become such a big deal. Even colleges look for students who have a mixture of extra-curricular activities. Kids can grow from sports. They can make new friends, maintain good health, and learn the importance of teamwork.
Sports and Making New Friends
There are a lot of benefits to kids of all ages playing sports. Although it's important not to overwhelm their schedules, it's a great way for kids to branch out their friend group. If you happen to hear that one, or more, of your children are struggling to make friends, think about signing them up. If you're able to convince them but they're still feeling uneasy, talk to one of their friends' parents. See if one of their friends would be able to join with them. They'll feel more and more comfortable as they go.
How Extracurricular Activities Help Maintain Good Health
All parents have heard how important nutritious foods and adequate exercise are to their kids. Their doctors will usually let them know if there's a problem. If your child is struggling to find a type of exercise that they enjoy, ask them about sports. See if their friends are involved. That could help encourage them if they're feeling nervous about joining a whole team.
If they're shy because of their weight or coordination, talk to the coaches. Let them know their strengths and weaknesses. Coaches know how to handle all different types of children and circumstances. Let your child know that there isn't anything they have going on that a seasoned coach hasn't already seen. This could help alleviate a lot of anxious feelings.
Learning About Teamwork
It's a great skill for kids to learn how to function as a group or team. This will help them develop skills that they'll use as adults when they join the workforce. Learning to get along, even when it's hard, is something they'll have to do as adults. It can be hard for kids to share, including sharing the spotlight, but learning to put someone else before themselves is a lesson all kids need to learn.
With the importance of all of these traits, it's easy to see how beneficial sports are. If you're feeling apprehensive about your child joining sports, talk to other parents who have been through it. Veteran parents can be a great help to those who are going through new and sometimes scary things.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Port Orange, Fla.