6 minutes to read
The practice of sports is something extremely advantageous for human beings. With it, we can not only improve our health through physical activity, but also interact with people who have the same interests and develop various skills. But, after all, are there sports for children?
The answer is: of course! Little ones can (and should) play sports, as long as they are suitable for their age group, practiced safely and that this desire is also shared by the child in question.
So what are the best sports for kids? Continue reading and check out some options, as well as learn more about the benefits that this practice brings to everyday life.
What are the benefits of sports for children?
Practicing sports does a lot of good for the body and soul. The practice of physical activity is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for people of all age groups, including children.
The reason for this lies in factors such as:
- reduced risk of obesity;
- reduced risk of developing cardiovascular problems;
- hormonal balance;
- sleep improvement;
- improved concentration;
- optimization of the immune system;
- stress reduction;
- reduction of problems such as anxiety and depression;
- strengthening of the locomotor system;
- optimization of self-esteem;
- improved socialization;
- development of important skills, such as teamwork, communication and resilience.
In other words: doing sports is a great option to improve physical and mental health, in addition to being a great investment for a long life full of happiness and quality of life.
What are the best sports for kids?
Now, see some sports alternatives that can be really cool for the kids. Let’s go?
1. Swimming
Swimming is one of the best sports for children. In addition to being very useful, since knowing how to swim is an important skill, it works on several very interesting points for child development.
Some are:
- improved breathing capacity;
- natural slimming;
- strengthening and stretching of bones and muscles;
- development of skills such as persistence and patience.
2. Fights
Fights can also be part of the little ones physical activity routine. Practices such as judo and karate are excellent because:
- improve balance and motor coordination;
- they work the muscles of the whole body;
- develop skills such as ethics, respect, teamwork and responsibility;
- I was relaxing.
3. Dances
Dancing is also a good physical activity! Ballet, street dance, jazz and other alternatives are great for burning calories, keeping your body active and:
- improve motor coordination;
- amuse;
- favoring communication and body expression;
- decrease shyness.
4. Basketball
If your son or daughter is the type who prefers group activities, basketball is a good option. Very fast and intense, this sport helps to:
- develop motor skills;
- improve balance;
- develop a sense of teamwork;
- favor communication;
- strengthen muscles and joints.
5. Handball
Another team sport that kids like is handball. Known as “football played with the hands”, this practice brings the same benefits perceived in sports such as basketball.
That is, when taking handball classes, the child will develop the body and mind in complete ways, working on many skills while exercising and having fun.
6. Football
The national passion could not be left out of our list! If your son or daughter likes to play football, know that it is also a great alternative to sports for children.
In addition to improving communication and a sense of teamwork, this sport helps prevent various diseases, including obesity. Not to mention that it works the whole body, at once, and helps in strengthening and development!
7. Skates
Skating is a sport that is not only beneficial, but also a lot of fun! And the cool thing is that it can be practiced anywhere, as long as there is the necessary land and space for it.
Some of the observed benefits are:
- improves flexibility;
- strengthens musculature;
- develops balance and motor coordination;
- posture works.
8. Skate
At the 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, a personality shone among Brazilian athletes: Rayssa Leal, known as the Fadinha do Skate. This young woman made history and showed that this is a very interesting, fun and beneficial sport!
Some of them are:
- strengthening of muscles and joints;
- improved balance;
- development of motor coordination;
- Improves focus and concentration.
9. Chess
Finally, we have chess. Of course, the other sports mentioned work the body a lot more, but that doesn’t mean that the mind doesn’t need to be strengthened, right?
The benefits most seen in chess are:
- improved focus and concentration;
- patience optimization;
- development of logical reasoning and agile problem solving;
- memory improvement.
How to choose the best sport?
Choosing the best sport will depend on several factors. Therefore, there is no single answer. What should be taken into account is:
- the child’s preference;
- the parents’ availability (financial, schedule, etc.);
- the demands of the child and the skills that can be developed in each activity.
Issues such as availability should be discussed between those responsible. Thus, when arriving at a list of sports possibilities, they must be presented so that the child can make his own decision.
A good way to make this presentation is through videos, demonstrating some details about each of the practices. Afterwards, if there are still doubts, there are spaces that offer experimental classes so that the little one can experience a little of each activity and, thus, choose the one that best suits his/her profile.
Did you like to know these sports options for children? Now, meet with the little ones who are part of your life and, together, select the practice that best suits them. Regardless of what you choose, know that it will do a great deal of good for child development!
Enjoy and check out our post on melatonin, a substance that helps with sleep, and learn about its role in the well-being of children!
Technical review: Alexandre R. Marra, researcher at the Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEP) and permanent professor at the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE).
Source: vidasaudavel.einstein.br
