Youth participation in sports can promote good health, according to Vern Seefeldt and Martha Ewing, authors from Michigan State University. Athletic activities also can help children transition into adulthood. Organizations such as Let Kids Play offer families who have financial difficulties the opportunity to get their children involved in sports.
History
In the early 1900s, youth sports programs were intended to prevent boys from getting into trouble, according to Fitness. Over time, schools began to sponsor and host intramural and interscholastic athletic programs. Social agencies started offering opportunities for children to become involved with youth sports in the mid 1950s. The trend continued with youth sports in schools, civic organizations and municipal recreation departments.
Types
Youth sports programs vary in levels of competition, costs, skill requirements, levels of supervision and duration of the seasons. A variety of sports are played at the recreational and more competitive club levels.
Developmental Issues
According to Maureen Weiss, Ph.D., at the University of Virginia, sports play a part in child development. Older children's development in athletic endeavors may be more influenced by their peers. Younger children are more influenced by feedback from parents and other adults in authority. Medical News Today says that parents who place value on team sports have children who are more active.
Age of Interest
Many educators claim that children who learn cooperation with their peers before starting school have an advantage and are more ready for school. Team sports may help provide some of the skills they need. Individual sports and team activities without pressure are available for preschoolers. Typically, interest in team sports starts when children are about 5 or 6 years old, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Parental Involvement
Although parental involvement is generally encouraged, the University of Florida IFAS says this becomes counterproductive if parents apply pressure. If parents want to become involved in the children's youth sports, they should focus on the positive aspects such as developing friendships, learning to work together and staying physically fit.
Benefits
Team sports can benefit children in a variety of ways. Active play is essential for muscle growth and development, and it helps establish good habits for later in life. According to the University of Florida IFAS, children involved in sports are more likely to be conscious of good nutrition than sedentary kids. Youth sports bring social and emotional benefits. They provide a group of friends with common interests and goals. The children learn to communicate and resolve conflict. As a child learns skills and experiences being part of a team in youth sports, her self-confidence increases.
Competition
Children learn competition in youth sports, something that can be either beneficial in life or unhealthy if it isn't handled properly. Life is full of competition, so sports may help prepare the children for how to deal with it as they grow and develop. But exposing children 5 to 7 years old to travel teams may result in unhealthy values, according to the University of Florida IFAS.
References
- University of Florida: Importance of Youth Involvement in Sports
- Fitness: Youth Sports in America: An Overview
- Let Kids Play: The Positive Impact of Sports
- University of Michigan: Developmental Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Medical News Today: Children's Physical Activity Increased by Parents' Endorsement of Vigorous Team Sports
Member Comments