Several studies have shown that constant and balanced physical activity allows to reduce sedentary lifestyle and promotes adequate and harmonious growth. But how can parents orient themselves in the choice of sport to make their child practice?
Apart from school, among the most important sacrifices imposed on children in this long period of pandemic we certainly find the total or partial suspension for several months of the sports activities.
Let’s start by saying that the movement is very important for the children of all agesbecause it allows them to explore their body and the environment that surrounds them. Phrases like “is not stopping for a moment!” Or “he always wants to run and play” make it clear how big and constant the desire for movement is that often characterizes the little ones. At a certain point this energy can be channeled in a context made of sharing with peers, respect for the rules and healthy competition: sport.
Educating children to practice a sporting activity from an early age offers numerous advantages. Let’s find out which and how to orient ourselves in Choice of sport for children.
How to choose the best sport for the child?
Several studies have shown that aconstant and balanced physical activity It promotes adequate and harmonious growth.
First, the child who regularly does physical activitywhether recreational or sporting, will reduce the daily hours of sedentary lifestyle and the use of screens and devices; This is very important, if we also consider what the statistics indicate: in the age group 6-10 years one is to be considered sedentary one in three children.
Thanks to sport, moreover, the child is familiar with a “motor alphabet” (running, jumping, climbing, making goat …) that will allow him to Know and use your body better; Another fundamental aspect, especially in light of what have recorded scientific studies in recent years, or a reduction in Basic motor skills in children of all ages.
The “social” aspect should not be forgotten: sport and motor activities in general offer children different possibilities to express themselves and work on self -esteemof interaction and integration, and other skills and skills useful for future life.
But how do you choose the right sport for the child? Better to orient themselves according to age? One is preferable team or individual sports? Should the child’s temperament be taken into consideration in the choice? If the baby presents a chronic pathology, is it appropriate to allow him to practice sports? Let’s try to answer these and other questions.
Is it right to choose sport based on the age of the child?
The motor skills of the child they change according to age, and the choice of physical activity must take into account this aspect.
At 4 yearsfor example, through movement, the baby expresses his moods and relates to the surrounding world. In this phase it will therefore be appropriate to choose sports activities that allow theUse of the whole bodyit will not be necessary to introduce too many rules and it will be important to leave the child the opportunity to move free and autonomy, so that he can strengthen the essential motor skills for future activities.
Given the “preparatory” period, it is not said that it is necessary to identify one specific sport: just offer the baby a space to learn how to move their body in a coordinated and aware manner. If you really want to choose a sport valid for this age, we can certainly indicate the I swimwhich in addition to the advantage of making all the main muscle groups use, offers the possibility of becoming familiar with the aquatic environment, thus reducing the risk of phobias or future uncertainties in this context.
At 5 years The child gradually acquires the ability to associate the movement with a precise purpose: For example, run to win a race. A sport recommended at this age is certainly theathleticswhich allows you to experience the race and the jump – which are the basis of the movement – with a view to training or competition. Adequate to this age group is also the Rhythmic or artistic gymnasticswhich refines and enhances coordination, balance and neuro-muscular interaction.
The right time to start the big ones team sports (football, basketball, volleyball, rugby) is instead around 6 yearsage when the child refines the ability to collaborate with peers to achieve a goal. In this phase, moreover, it is easier for the baby to understand and memorize even more articulated and complex game rules. Also the martial arts They are an excellent choice for this age, real disciplines that also allow you to positively channel the motor exuberance typical of this phase.
At 7 years Sports that provide for the use of a tool (tennis, fencing, cycling) can be taken. Since these activities usually provide for the exclusive use of some muscle groups, it will be appropriate to accompany them to more complete sports (like the aforementioned swimming), or in any case guarantee adequate compensatory gymnastics.
From 8-9 yearsit is advisable to satisfy the child’s preferences and inclinations, let it free to choose (even to change sports every year if you wish). Several studies show that Dedicating to a single sport as a child is harmfulbecause it involves the constant solicitation of the same muscle groups (therefore a greater risk of accidents in those areas) and does not allow the child to learn different motor patterns.
On the sidelines of this list we mention theequitationactivities that must be undertaken not before 6 years to avoid excessive stresses to the locomotor system (skeletal system and muscle system) of the youngest child. This sport also provides for the interaction with an animal: the fact that it takes concentration to interpret the horse’s signals, will allow the child to understand that if you want to interact with the elements of the environment you will need to use delicacy and attention.
Sport for children: better team or individual activity?
“Are there more suitable sports for shy children?“Asks Dario’s mother, who instinctively would like to enroll his son to a team sport, with the aim of” throwing him in the fray “and thus helping him win the shyness. But be careful: in this way he could get the opposite effect and bring Dario not only to close even more in himself, but also to live sport as a heavy commitment or a source of concern.
The advice, in this case, is to have a gradual approach. That is, choose an individual sport but practiced in the context of a small group that remains almost constant in the months. Swimming, for example, or athletics, allow the child to carry out physical activity individually but, at the same time, to confront his peers and, gradually, to tighten with them More casual relationships.
Team sport can be chosen at a later time, when the baby has acquired greater safety in itself and will also be ready to collaborate with other children.
“My son is distracted and always has his head in the clouds,” Carlo’s parents, they too struggle with the choice between team or individual sports. In this case, one team sports can help the child a pay more attention to what does or what happens around him, since he will push him to collaboration: the error of the single can compromise the success of the team, therefore Carlo will be stimulated to have one greater concentration To help his companions reach the common sporting goal.
My son is hyperactive, which sport is most suitable for him?
For i hyperactive childrenmovement is a constant necessity, so much so that they live with agitation the circumstances in which it usually must be maintained Discipline and self -control (such as school).
Sports suitable for hyperactive children are certainly martial arts, which impose a specific and adequate code of conduct. This type of activity, in fact, is characterized by specific rituals that must necessarily be respected and which bring the child to acquire greater self -control. Karate, Judo and other martial arts provide, for example, the profound respect for the authority: you listen carefully to what the Master says, in order to be able to perform precisely what is requested.
Another activity that can be very useful for hyperactive children is the classical dancewhich does not differ much from martial arts in terms of discipline and respect for authority.
Is sport also suitable for children with chronic pathologies?
The assumption from which to start is that it sport is healththerefore no child should do without it.
If the baby presents a chronic pathology, one will be chosen Suitable sport for him in terms of physical commitment. For example, for children with motor or musculoskeletal disabilities, the activity in water is recommended, so as to reduce the stresses to the bones and joints.
Before choosing, however, it will be important to involve the reference specialistto have indications on the extent of physical effort and the frequency to which the child can be subjected to benefit from sports.
Competitiveness
After a few years of sporting practice, it is easy for the activity to intensify until you reach thecompetitiveness.
The competitive activity has numerous positive implications: it guarantees a constant and lasting commitment, stimulates the athlete to improve his results, educates to sacrifice and work in view of a goal. But be careful not to transform sport intoyet another heavy commitment which fills our boys’ week.
The meter of judgment to understand if sports is still a healthy practice is the fun: If the child trains and enjoys, then, regardless of workloads, it will mean that it is found in the right environment. We parents are responsible for watching carefully (sometimes even on too pressing or pretentious coaches).
The competitive sport It also offers the child the opportunity to compete: the desire for competition is natural, and in this way he can not only savor the taste of victory, but also Learn to accept the defeat with serenity (It would be useful, in this regard, if we adults wondered: “We have the ability to live, we first, such situations in a balanced way?”)
Individual or team, in the gym or outdoors, with the ball or with the bicycle, competitive or not: the important thing is that the child makes sports and making him having funreminding us, at the same time, also of the importance of free and recreational motor activity, which can and must support sports with the aim of “giving up” as much time as possible to video games and TVs.
