Is it Good for Kids to Play Sports?

Whether it's baseball in the United States, cricket in India, or soccer in the United Kingdom, sports are hugely important to all modern societies. A few fortunate people are even able to forge a lucrative career out of playing professionally. But should parents be aware of any potential dangers before allowing their children to take part in sporting events?

  1. Possible injuries

    • Physical activity carries an element of risk. Parents should be aware that their child may be injured while playing sports. This risk can be minimized, however, as long as your child plays under the supervision of a responsible adult and wears safety equipment. Ensure that your child's coach is CPR and first aid trained and is aware of what to do in case of emergency. Teach your child the importance of warming up and warming down before and after they play sports. Light exercises such as stretching and jogging help the body prepare for the more vigorous exertions of a sports activity. Give your child water to drink before they play and encourage them to keep hydrated during breaks.

    Financial Element

    • For nearly all sports, the purchase of some equipment is required for safety reasons and/or to play the game. Ice hockey, for example, can be an expensive pursuit, because of the pads, sticks, skates and helmets required. Also, as children grow, they will need new equipment when their old kit no longer fits them. However, the cost of equipment for most sports is not particularly high and could be seen as an investment in your child's health and well-being.

    Social Benefits

    • As long as sporting activity is supervised by a responsible adult, it can be great fun for children and can also boost self-esteem. Team sports are an ideal way to learn the benefits of collaboration and communication. Not all children are equally gifted at sports, but whether or not they are particularly talented, sport is a great way of channeling their free time and helping them to feel bonded to their peers. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, active participation in sports reduces levels of crime among young people, as it helps to prevent boredom.

    Health Benefits

    • The problem of child obesity is on the rise. In 2008, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that 16.9 percent of American children and adolescents between 2 and 19-years-old were obese. One way to prevent your child from becoming obese, which is a major health risk, is to encourage her to participate in sports. A reasonable amount of exercise, combined with a sensible, healthy diet, should prevent children from becoming obese. Sporting participation for children also promotes the healthy growth of muscles and bones, aids sleep and improves cardiovascular fitness. Combined, these benefits make it more likely for physically active children to grow into healthy adults.