Childhood is the period of physical, intellectual and mental development. Any kind of physical activity aims to contribute positively to the child’s growth and it creates the foundations of health habits for all its life.
Following a systematic program of physical activity ( sports, sport play. physical activity ) we identify the following positive benefits:
- The creation of strong muscles and bones
- The prevention of cardiovascular diseases
- The control and reduction of childhood obesity
- The control and reduction of high blood pressure and blood cholesterol
- Reducing in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Improvement of self-confidence and self-image
- Active and better life full of health-wellness-vigor
- Good posture
- Development of basic motor skills
- Development of synchronization timing and balance
- Improvement of elasticity
- Improvement of endurance and strength
How can we provoke the interest of our child in sports from the very first years of its life?
Probably the main stimulation is ourselves. As a first step we could find a place pleasant to the child such as a beautiful park or a grove, an organized athletic centre, maybe the courtyard of our house. Once we identifying a suitable place, we choose activities in game form at such as games with a light ball, bicycle with three wheels or with assistive wheels, games which contain walking-running or little jumps.
It is very important that these activities are pleasant, so that the child will understand that exercise is pleasure. Also it would be helpful if there were other people who are engaged to physical activity in the chosen place, so that our child also benefited from oral stimulation. We stay active parents and encourage its participation in team games which will help and prepare it later to enter a team. It must always have our continued support and we must have in mind that we try to help our child to become an active person full of health and energy.
Watching sport events would be very useful and it would raise the child interest. Choose a variety of sports, team-individual and try to discover which activities raise the child interest. When the time is right, we offer the opportunity to try the equipment and experiment in many activities and sports.
Many times our child may have natural preferences and abilities for specific sports. We begin with these trying to maintain the interest and maturity of our child, so as to build strong foundations for the creation of basic skills and try for their continued development. In deciding in the children direction, we have to consider if we are able to respond to the demands of such sport on issues such as :
- The cost of participation and equipment
- The time of the sessions
- The distance necessary for us to go
The above may seem as details, but they could be limiting factors in the effectiveness of our child in the chosen sport. The evaluation of youth sport must be done with great care. We should keep in mind the timetable and schedule of our child in other obligations, so that there will be a right balance. The overloading of a daily schedule might cause a negative attidute to the sport or activity. As we said before, it is important for the child to realize that physical exercise is pleasant and offers a healthy way of life. Before the beginning of systematic and organized activity a visit to the doctor is necessary in order to make the necessary health examinations which will confirm and certify the ability of your child for participation to the chosen sport.
The coach and the training session are key factors in order for the child to love the exercise and want to participate in it. The coach is a role model for behavior , cares for the team’s security, workout plan, rules, right use of equipment. Equal opportunities for participation must be given to all members and not just the most capable. The coach emphasizes the effort and encourage the improvement in team or individual level or in relation to the victory.
If any of the above is not applied the team may not perform and may yield the opposite than desired results.
Organized activities and sports for each age are listed below:
School age and toddlers (2-5 years old)
Children have the control of many basic movements at this age, but they are usually very young for organized sports. The free play and bags are also suitable for this age :
- Playing in water
- Running
- Climbing
- Dancing
- Games with a light ball
- Bicycle
Ages from 6-7 years old
Children have appreciable improvement in coordination and self control at this age. They are mature enough to follow directions and constructions and they are also able to understand the meaning of the team exercise .
Check organized sports such as:
- Football
- Enorgan
- Athletics
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Martial arts
Ages from 8 years and older
Almost every sport may be suitable. The workout of general strengthening may begin carefully and always with proper supervision and right programming. If your child isn’t interested in an organized sport…this is not the only choice of exercise. You maybe encourage the child to tune up other activities such as bicycling with the family, active time with friends (play with the cord, sport play), paths of walking, visit gyms or enclosed places with walls for climbing.
At the end we are the role model for our children. It is necessary that we deal with any kind of exercise too and remain active parents in every effort of our child, maintaining the most powerful team…the team of our family.
Grogoris Dogas, Prsonal Trainer, Seminar lecturer, AthensTrainers Associate
