It is no secret for anyone: our society is more and more sedentary. Most of us work at the office, sit on the couch and watch TV for hours, or simply are not in the mood to take a walk or do some exercises. This is how many grown ups live nowadays. And, as I repeatedly said, kids imitate adult people.
Sports and locomotion are a way of life, a habit that every single person can learn. Therefore, for our kids and even for us, being dynamic is a matter of education.
What is the starting point in educating your child to be active and to live outdoor, not indoor? The simplest step you can take is to determine the kid to play sports, any kind of sport. Playing sports involves lot of physical movement and makes the little one get used to a healthy way of life. Any kind of activity that implies locomotion is good for your children (of course, it is recommended to ask for medical advice before proceeding into it). You can choose baseball, football, basketball, hockey, skating, tennis, volleyball, martial arts, soccer or swimming. Alternatively, remember that there are many outdoor activities that can fight a sedentary life: make a trip or even a journey, go for outdoor games, family activities, funfairs and so on.
How do you choose the perfect sport for your kid?
You have to take into consideration his age, his level of physical development and his personality. It is better if your kid starts practicing a sport at the age of 5 or 6 years. This is the period when he understands properly the ideas of coordination, organization and team work.
Regarding your child’s development, if he is feeble, he won’t manage to deal with the equipment, for example maybe he won’t be able to hold the tennis racket in his hand.
When it comes to personality, balance between individuality and sociability. If your child is lonely and shy, he might prefer playing a sport with a little group of children.
And finally, don’t push your kid into doing the sport you want. Give him the chance to discover what sports he likes and go for his option. And also don’t overstress him. The child needs to rest, therefore his training and learning program must be convenient.
