A successful experience in sports can raise self-esteem and increase confidence. Sports also teach self-discipline, teamwork, leadership and cooperation. But with all the choices out there, how do you choose the right fit for your child?
Playing sports brings many benefits for children: exercise, coordination, improved motor skills and development of a child's body are among the most obvious. Beyond healthy fitness, practice and play can also teach a child how to deal with success, failure, stress and competition. Sports programs teach children behaviors such as how to do their best, strive for excellence and improve with perseverance, hard work, practice and determination.
How can parents help a child choose the right sport? Here are some questions to ask as you look for the best match.
- What do you love? First, ask your child what type of sports most interests him. Watch a variety of sporting events in the neighborhood or on T.V. Try out a variety of different sports, but no more than one per season. Eventually he will settle on a sport or two that he will enjoy for fun and healthy fitness.
- Team sports or going it alone? Together, weigh the pros and cons of team and individual sports. Individual sports usually involve self-competition. Team participation can meet social needs of being with friends and making new ones. Team play can meet the child's physical needs for exercise while allowing him to take pride in a group effort. Evaluate your child's competitive nature. Kids with a strong competitive drive might enjoy a team sport more. Sensitive or insecure children may do better in sports such as track, cross-country, swimming, diving or horseback riding, where they compete mostly against themselves.
- Long and lean or solid as a rock? Choosing a sport also involves an evaluation of your child's body type. While this may change often throughout childhood, try to coordinate your child's athletic activity to his or her level of fitness. Know your child's physical limitations and try not to put your child in a sport that will over-abuse those limitations.
- How mature is your child? Is your child able to cooperate in a group setting? Is she good at following instructions? Can she tolerate frustration or does the slightest upset trigger tears? Does your child pick up new skills easily? Does your child cling to you or run head-on into a new project or new environment?
- How old is your child? Preschoolers have short attention spans, and therefore have difficulty understanding the rules of complex sports. They are best suited for individual activities such as swimming and tumbling.
- Children ages 5-7 lack the physical and psychological development to play, follow directions and concentrate on the rules all at the same time. These children should choose sports that help develop hand-eye coordination, agility and strength. Kids at this age can begin T-ball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, cycling, skating and other non-contact sports. Look for programs that downplay winning and celebrate effort and fun.
- Children ages 8-10 understand the complexities of sports and can begin participation in basketball, baseball, wrestling or cheerleading.
- Children ages 10 and up may be ready mentally and physically for collision sports. Sign them up for football and hockey, but continue to monitor your children for signs of maturity and interest. Just because your child turns the qualifying ages does not mean he or she is ready for organized sports.
- Whose game is this, anyway? Make sure the decision to play a particular sport is your child's decision. Too often, parents try to relive their own youth through their children. Stifle that instinct. Point out the pros and cons of each sport but let the final decision be your child's.