IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT.

IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT.

Most adults realize the need to be physically active as they get older. Exercise provides a solid foundation for a healthy life especially when started at an early age. Here are some of the big impacts that sports has on child development.

     SOCIAL BENEFITS

When children participate in sports especially on teams, they get to know other children, form bonds and make new friends. Additionally, during training sessions, they interact regularly with teammates and coaches. Gradually, the child will develop and improve their social skills that will help them know how to behave in a given social situation. The learn to win with humility and lose with grace.

     BENEFITS TO THE MIND

Physical activity and exercise are known to improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety and depression as well as increasing a person’s self-esteem. In addition to this, sports help children to concentrate better and boost their energy away from the monotony of daily life so that they can do better in school.

We all can agree that sports are not always rosy. Your child will inevitably face some challenges but on the flip side, sports will also teach them how to push through the challenges and come out even stronger. Life is full of adversities and learning how to maneuver through them is the most valuable skill a child can posses.

      PHYSICAL BENEFITS

One of the primary role of sports to children is the rewarding physical benefits. Children who take part in sports have many health benefits. These include promoting healthy growth and development, building strong bones and muscles, boosting the immune system and reducing the risk of certain diseases and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and obesity among others. Exercise is undoubtedly the foundation of healthy aging I am certain that, all parents will want this for their children.

    LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Sports provide opportunities for children to assume leadership roles. Whether the child is the captain of the team or a player, they learn how to take an initiative and make big decisions in the heat of the moment. It’s through the movements made during the  play of a match, that children learn to think quickly and interact respectfully with their peers, coaches and match officials. As such they become a source of imitation for other children and trustworthy people in the society.

      VIRTUE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Participating in sports teaches children the value of responsibility. If they fail to practice or put in minimal effort, they will eventually see how it affects their individual results and eventually their team’s performance. If your child’s participation in sports depends on their academic performance, they will learn how neglecting their studies can affect them especially if they are banned from sports due to poor grades. This will teach your child to put equal effort into both studies and sports.

        TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Sports require children to learn time management skills and enhances self discipline. There are only twenty four hours in a day. If a child is responsible for getting a good night’s sleep and going to school all day, then the child has little time for assignments and other activities. Taking part in sports means spending less time procrastinating on tasks. If a child can balance their sports commitments with other responsibilities, they will be more organized, disciplined,  productive and successful which is exactly what every parent wants for their child.

         EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

Taking part in sports can help children learn how to manage their emotions and channel negative energy in healthy ways. Research shows that physical activity helps your brain stimulate the hormone dopamine, also known as the “feel good” hormone, a neurotransmitter that serves as your brain’s reward system. This means that playing a sport can help lower stress levels and reduce depression hence improving your child’s overall emotional state.

In conclusion, any child can be successful in one or more sports. However, it takes time for parents to identify sports that are right for their children. Therefore, they must be patient when choosing a sport for their child as it is a process that will dearly pay off.

By Mercy Gakii