Children need a minimum of one hour of exercise each day to stay healthy and fit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Team sports, including gymnastics, basketball or soccer, can help children meet this exercise requirement, but not all children thrive in organized sports. Choosing age-appropriate sports activities, that fit the temperament, build and needs of your child, can help them build healthy exercise habits that will last throughout their lives.
Toddlers And Preschoolers
Unstructured free play is best for toddlers, ages 2 to 3, and preschoolers, ages 4 to 6. They can start to learn basic sports moves by playing catch using a lightweight ball, but are generally too young for organized sports activities. If you do decide to sign your child up for classes, look for ones that include plenty of unstructured time. Good options include tumbling, dancing and swimming. Pedaling a trike or bike is another skill many children master at this age, making cycling a good sports option.
Early Elementary School
MayoClinic.com indicates that their increased attention spans, as well as their improved coordination, make most children ready for organized sports activities somewhere between 6 and 7. Some good options include soccer, gymnastics, swimming, T-ball, softball or baseball, golf, martial arts and track. If your child participates in a team sport, make sure the environment is flexible and low-pressure. Inline skating, horseback riding, hiking, yoga, running and dance can make good alternatives for children who aren't interested in more traditional sports.
Age 8 And Older
Children this age can participate in contact sports, including football or hockey. Just make sure they wear the appropriate protective gear when participating in these activities. Strength training is fine for this age group, according to MayoClinic.com, but don't confuse strength training with body building. Bodybuilding often focuses on creating large muscles by lifting overly heavy weights. This can put too much strain on your child's developing muscles and cartilages. Instead, stick to light, controlled movements using light free weights or resistance tubing.
Considerations
When choosing sports activities for your child, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests taking your child's body type and emotional maturity into account before signing him up for a team. Your child's height, weight and strength can make her more, or less, susceptible to injury. Look for classes arranged by skill level, not age, to minimize her risk of harm. Her ability to handle winning or losing, stick to a regular routine of practices and games and manage the physical stresses of competition are also important when deciding whether she should participate in organized sports activities.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Children and Sports: Choices for All Ages
- Healthy Children: Physical Activity: Make the Right Choice for your Child
- Healthy Children: Preventing Injury in Children's Sports
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?
- KidsHealth.org from Nemours: Fitness for Kids Who Don't Like Sports
