The Benefits of Kids Sports

The only thing more important than participating in some form of sporting activity, is to get your children to participate in sporting activities.

Enrolling children in competitive sports has many benefits. It can teach so many basic life skills and expose children to safe learning situations, while at the same time ensuring that they get some exercise.

START HEALTHY. All parents know that good habits start young. In today's day and age when the most exercise some children get is of their thumbs - texting their friends at worst, or playing wii sports in their living room at best. The amount of empty calories that the average child consumes cannot compete with the lack of movement. This results in overweight, unhealthy, and ultimately, unhappy children. Encouraging children to attend regular sports activities is one of the best ways to avoid adolescent obesity, and to start your child on the path to a healthy lifestyle.

SELF CONFIDENCE. One of the best ways to encourage self-confidence and self-awareness in children is through participation in competitive sports. Children are given the opportunity to do their part, and take responsibility for their actions. Each child of the team is given their turn to shine, which can be a real eye-opener to a child who may not have had the opportunity to excel in other parts of his life. A child also learns to accept criticism and take opportunities to grow.

TEAM SPIRIT. Children that compete in sports as part of a team have the chance to learn all the skills that go along with team building, such as trust and responsibility. Each child learns to encourage and comfort others as well as receive the same. The team can act as a secondary family to a child who may need extra support from peers. Friends made on the field can become friends for life, providing social stability to children that will last their whole lives. Learning how to cope with disappointments, and how to treat others when they do, are life lessons that will stand by your child for years to come.

FUN. Kids love to play. They love to play with other kids. Supervised, regularly scheduled, sports activities is the way for children to gain all the skills listed above, but above all enjoy themselves at the same time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4134501