The choice of a sporting activity should not be random, and should be appropriate to the age and stage of development of the children.
The choice of a sporting activity should not be random, but should be appropriate to the child’s stage of development and take into account their age, personality (characteristics such as self-confidence and degree of sociability are important) and needs. Whenever possible, the choice should be made jointly (parents and children), respecting the child’s tastes and interests, rather than being imposed. This is more relevant when parents practice a particular sport, unconsciously inducing their children to follow in their footsteps, even insisting that they do so at a competitive level.
What type of sport is best suited?
In individual sports such as gymnastics, skating or swimming, children are challenged by themselves and are forced to make an effort, as individual perfection of movements is important, and they are required to do progressively better. This can promote confidence, but it can also lead to isolation.
In contrast, team sports such as football, hockey or rugby, which involve fighting and opposing others, can exacerbate the spirit of competition. On the other hand, they help to work as a team, to learn to respect opponents and to develop the rules, improving understanding and respect for others.
The first contact with sport
After the first year of life, physical activity should and can be encouraged through games played by parents and educators.
In the early years, the aim is for children to have fun while playing sports, to play and enjoy themselves. Competition and specialization in sports are harmful and are not recommended before the age of 8 or 9, as they require greater dedication and sometimes sacrifice, which can result in pressure on the child to show results to others and to themselves, generating inappropriate levels of anxiety. In addition, there is also the risk of injuries caused by sports activities. Parents must be vigilant about any excesses in intensive sports practice, so as not to penalize the child’s growth, both physically and emotionally.
The ideal is to initially opt for basic sports, such as swimming, dancing and gymnastics, so-called “complete” sports that have advantages in the child’s psychomotor development. They work on flexibility, resistance and motor coordination, contributing to proper body posture. They can thus serve as a basis for more specific sports in the future.
When kids start college, it is really useful to permit them to exercise a whole lot of sports activities, giving them a foundation of different capabilities that allows you to later pick out the one they prefer satisfactory. Ideally, they have to do one sport personally and one in a group.
Taking into account the personality
Team sports are ideal for shy children, as they promote relationships between peers. In a team, everyone participates, listens and is heard, so their opinion and performance will be valued, making them more confident and motivated.
Children who defy authority need to acquire discipline and a sense of limits. Martial arts such as judo and capoeira, which are based on the principle of non-violence and the balance between body and mind, help these children develop the ability to control themselves, reducing aggression.
Sports that require concentration, with the execution of appropriate movements at the exact moment, such as judo, swimming or tennis, can be a good option to increase attention in distracted children.
Swimming can be practiced from a very young age, although there is some controversy among otolaryngologists. It is a sport with immense potential – from basic safety issues, physical benefits at the level of the respiratory system and coordination of movements, as well as providing a feeling of well-being and relaxation.
Obviously, activities that involve any risk to the child, such as mountain climbing or boxing, are not recommended.
