Sport contributes to the child's development, not only bodily and mentally but also intellectually. He teaches self-control to the most turbulent, confidence to the timidest, autonomy to the most withdrawn, decisiveness to the fearful, and, above all, spirit and mutual aid to everyone.

Why your kids should play sports

At the start, when you register your children to play sports, you think first of all of the physical expenses that it will generate and the benefits that it will provide to our cherubim. But sport is also the school of life since the little ones learn pell-mell self-control, confidence, autonomy, the spirit of decision, and, of course, the team spirit when it comes to team sports. In addition, children learn the value of a victory, the reality of a defeat. And finally, and perhaps even most importantly, they socialize a bit more and make new friends. But for sport to be fully beneficial for your child, it should not be forced. It is up to him to choose the activity that will please him the most when he is old enough to do it. If he is still a baby, he can also practice activities of his age, the main thing being that he is happy to do it.

The benefits of sport for children

In general, you know that sport is good for your health. But do you know exactly the benefits of practicing physical activity for toddlers?

Rollerblading, cycling, baby swimming... Not all sports have the same advantages, but without exception, they will help them grow well and develop many qualities.

Yes, sport acts on constructing what is called body image. Until the age of 12, children become aware of their whole body, from the top of their skull to the tips of their toes. Physical activity will stimulate all the physical qualities of the child, allow him to enrich his motor skills, and thus contribute to his psychomotor development.

The sport will also offer the child benefits at the mental level, such as the possibility of finding their bearings in space, establishing strategies, organizing themselves, calculating, deducing, or associating.

Let's not neglect the psychological, social, and emotional aspects of sports practice, either. Learning to be independent, respecting rules and others, the ability to take risks and regulate energy.

Each sport has an age to start

For parents, the goal is not to make their children champions but to ensure that sport provides them with the basics of health education.

Among school children, those in the 8 to 10 years age group are most sensitive to the discovery of a sport.

Among the different activities that it is possible to offer a child to start between 6 and 10 years old in clubs authorized to teach these safe practices:

Soccer:   Possible start from the age of 5-6 years; an easy sport to practice with an important playful part. Suitable for all age groups.

Rugby: Possible start from the age of 6 years. In the beginning, we stay on the passes and possibly the touch; the scrum and the different rules will only be discussed later, around 8 or 9 years old.

Basketball: Possible start from the age of 6 years. The start is made by games of 2 or 3, and a basket placed lower; Basketball is very playful and is loved by young children.

Tennis: Possible start from the age of 5-6 years; various games with foam balls then with real balls. Mini tennis courts can make learning easier.

Cycling: Possible start from the age of 10 to seriously start cycling in a club, from 6 years old possible introduction to the highway code on a track.

Athletics: Possible start from the age of 8-9 years, you can learn the basics. The competition does not start for 11-12 years.

Swimming: The swimming school accepts children from 4 years old.

Combat sports (judo, karate, Thai boxing): Possible start from the age of 5 when the first basics are taught. After 6 years, games intervene to initiate the specific rules of each discipline: judo, karate, etc.

The benefits of sport

The benefits of physical activity for young people are numerous. Being active has several benefits:

Development: Physical activity promotes healthy growth and development. The child masters more and more motor skills and exercises his muscles by moving. He thus develops his strength, his power, and his endurance. Doing stretching exercises regularly can also increase flexibility. Finally, physical activity is an excellent opportunity for children to improve their coordination as well as their posture, agility, and balance.

The physical condition: An active person sees their cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular capacity increase, which helps control weight and blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Therefore, physical activity reduces the risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer in adulthood.

The weight: Physical activity is a good way to increase calorie expenditure. Being active can reduce the risk of becoming overweight or obese. This is all the more important since individuals who are obese from childhood are more likely to be obese as adults.

Bones: Activities that require the child to support his weight, such as when he climbs or that make him jump, increase the density of his bones and, therefore, their resistance. This type of activity would also improve the internal organization of the bones, which would make them stronger.

Emotional health: Active children have higher self-esteem, more confidence, and a better body image. Physical activity also helps reduce stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Socialization: Physical activity is an opportunity for children to develop their social skills and relationships with others. Moving would therefore help to break isolation and promote social integration.

Academic achievement: Physical activity can improve school performance for several reasons. First, sports require memorizing rules and movement sequences or making quick decisions. In addition, moving would activate certain areas of the brain and increase the blood supply they receive. In addition, the confidence and relaxation provided by physical activity would stimulate the child's intellectual abilities. Finally, young people who are active adopt better behavior and develop a greater sense of belonging to their school. All of these factors would help the child perform better in school.