Sports provide ways for children to be active and to stay healthy. According to Kids Health, organized sports provide kids with a chance to learn and master new skills while also learning how to work as part of a team and respect the authority and leadership of a coach. Kids also learn the value of competition and hard work. Kids Health recommends that parents consider the talents and interests of their children when signing them up for sports teams or activities.
Team Sports
A study from the New York University Child Study Center, presented by Education, ranks the top five team sports for kids as basketball, baseball, outdoor soccer, touch football, and court volleyball. Organized sports encourage children to work together to learn new skills while also having fun. Children who enjoy fast-moving games will enjoy sports such as basketball while kids who enjoy slower activities may enjoy baseball. Soccer, football, and lacrosse also offer opportunities to engage in team sports.
Individual Sports
Many children do not enjoy playing as part of a team and the NYU Child Study Center recommends different options that allow children to be active on their own. Swimming, bowling, gymnastics, and martial arts are some of the most popular choices for children who prefer playing on their own. Individual sports also reduce some of the competition of team sports to which many children do not respond well. Individual sports, such as golf, can also allow children to play a game they enjoy without the pressure that accompanies team sports. Jogging and biking are additional options, according to Healthy Children.
Informal Sports
Kids can enjoy the thrill of competition and get physical activity when they organize games on their own. They can be encouraged to gather a group of friends and head to the park to play a game of baseball, basketball, soccer, or football. Participation in informal sports can also encourage children to try a variety of different activities and get practice playing different positions, says the NYU Child Study Center. These experiences enable a child to choose a team or individual sport in which to participate when they are ready. Developing sports skills before joining a team or pursuing an individual sports activity can give a child the confidence necessary to be successful and will also work to motivate a child to seek out ways to be physically active.
