Find a sport for your child

By Alex Brooks

Ref: Kidspot.com.au 

Extracurricular activities are a great way to solve school difficulties, and sports can help your child stay active, learn sportsmanship, improve social skills and concentration and have fun.
Some sports and activities are too challenging for little ones to handle.

When considering a particular sport or program, remember:

• Preschoolers and kindergarten children have shorter attention spans and may not be ready for games or team sports with rules. Individual sports like swimming, gymnastics, or Little Athletics are great to keep kids physically active if they aren't ready for the rules of team sports.

• Kids between 5 and 7 years old enjoy learning sports and games with rules, but look for sports that strongly emphasise sportsmanship and fun rather than winning and trophies. At this age, kids need to work on agility, strength, and hand-eye coordination. Non-contact sports such as soccer, swimming, gymnastics, and softball are all good possibilities.

• Eight- to 10-year-olds are ready to play competitive sports. They are old enough to develop strong skills, understand rules, and be part of a team, even if they do find it hard to lose! Most schools organise competitive team sports, but try local clubs if your school doesn't offer a sport your child would enjoy.

• Older school children can play contact sports and may be willing to get themselves organised for practice and competition games rather than relying on parents to ferry them around.

Get active and enjoy!

Vanessa & Lauren