Competitive sports are an ideal way to teach your child about teamwork, working hard and getting physical activity daily. Only 25 percent of children get the recommended daily amount (30 to 60 minutes) of exercise per day, says the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. It's no wonder that parents urge their kids to try out for a sports team. It's an ideal way to get your child moving and involved with other kids his own age while staying healthy and active.
Soccer
Soccer is a fairly easy sport to learn and play, which makes it a good place to start when finding out which sports your child is comfortable with. According to FamilyEducation.com, soccer is ideal because it is inclusive, estimating that there are 40 million children playing on soccer teams in the United States. Each child on a team has a chance to kick the ball, and they learn about teamwork and cooperation in order to win the game.
Football
Football, an American favorite, is a good sport for children to play as they get a little older. The rules are slightly more complicated and the sport can be dangerous, but touch-football and flag-football leagues decrease the chance for injury so that all kids can get it on the fun. With the running involved in football, your child will easily meet the daily exercise requirements.
Hockey
If you live in the northern half of the U.S., then you know what a popular sport hockey can be with young children. Hockey is an especially good competitive sport for children because it helps them to work on their hand-eye coordination. The maneuvering of the puck with the stick can help challenge them as they learn the importance of passing to teammates and encouraging their teams in a sport that can be played year-round in indoor arenas.
Baseball and Basketball
Both baseball and basketball rely on a heavy team effort to get the job done. While there are children who show an obvious capacity to be a star on either type of team, even the star player cannot be successful without the help of the rest of the team. Baseball and basketball teach the importance of good sportsmanship, hand-eye coordination, learning regulations and playing as a team.
Individual Sports
Team sports are not the only option when it comes to choosing a competitive sport for your child. If your child functions better on her own, consider a sport in which she competes as an individual for part of a team. Track and field, gymnastics, wrestling and swimming are all ideal for children who don't enjoy team sports, notes KidsHealth.org, a division of the Nemours Foundation. Trying different sports can give your child an idea of which sport she likes the best and which she'd like to pursue further.
