Child and sport: when to start and what to choose

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Children's health and sports are interconnected! All mothers and fathers know this and sooner or later think about such questions: at what age to send a child to sports, which sports section to choose, where to start classes and whether the baby will pull physical activity?

You will find the answers to these important questions in our article.

123RF / bakharev

Preparatory stage

The goal of each parent is not to harm the growing body with additional loads, but on the contrary - to develop physical data and strengthen the health of the child!

Therefore, before deciding on a sport and starting to collect information about the sports sections of your city, you should undergo a medical examination … Consult a pediatrician, surgeon, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist - if your baby has any contraindications to the chosen sport.

You should also take into account and personal wishes of the future athlete … If you dream of raising a football or figure skating star, and your child wants to practice exclusively dancing, do not force him to attend the classes you have chosen. Through the force of success, he will not achieve, and compulsory lessons will be enough for him even at school!

When to send a child to sports and what to choose?

To determine when to give your child to sports and to which particular section, you need to understand the sports norms.

Sports from birth to 2 years

Immediately after the birth of the baby, you can play sports with it. Ordinary gymnastics for infants is very useful, which includes massage, touching, exercises with the help of parental hands or a children's fitball. Some families learn dynamic gymnastics and infant swimming.

123RF / Irina Schmidt

Sports at 2-3 years old

At this age, children and physical activity are inseparable. Kids are very mobile, it can be difficult for them to sit still, and therefore parents just need to direct energy in the right direction!

At home, you can systematically engage in physical education with your child, as well as purchase a Swedish wall and various children's exercise equipment. On walks, let the little one run, jump, play outdoor games, master a bicycle and a scooter. Also, go together to sports grounds, where there are horizontal bars and exercise equipment - let the baby slowly get used to them.

Do not forget about water procedures: in summer - in open reservoirs, in winter - in a pool.

Sports at 3-4 years old

At this age, children are inherent in special flexibility and plasticity. Therefore, you can safely send your child to gymnastics or rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, sports acrobatics. From the age of 4, the child can also attend classes in drafts and chess, which develop logical thinking, cunning and calculating mind, tactics and strategy.

Sport at 5-6 years old

At the age of 5-6, the child becomes stronger and more resilient, able to concentrate better and respond faster. You can choose the following sports for your child: hockey, football, table and tennis, aikido, athletics, ballroom and sports dances.

123RF / Boris Ryaposov

Sports at 7-8 years old

At this age, young athletes are already able to show such qualities as speed, strength, courage, agility, quick reaction, as well as team spirit. Team sports will help them in this - the same hockey, football, volleyball, basketball, handball. You can also send your child to the martial arts section - wushu, karate, boxing or Thai boxing.

Sports from 10 years old

The time has come to engage in sports such as cycling, fencing, skiing and speed skating, sailing, weightlifting (from 13 years old - for girls), equestrian sports.

123RF / Maria Symchych-Navrotska

All these, of course, are approximate figures - in fact, teachers will look at the abilities of a particular child, his physical fitness and general health.

In playing sports, there must be a goal. You should not set the bar too high for your child and tune in solely to win the competition if you only want to comprehensively strengthen and improve his health. Well, if you and the coach see certain abilities and aspirations in your child, then go for it - set him up for the difficult path of the future champion!