Sports Worth Getting a Child Into

Every parent wants a healthy child, which means making sure they get enough physical activity. Sport is the straightforward way to cover it, and there's plenty that's enjoyable enough that a child does it willingly.

Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates children need 60 minutes of physical activity a day. It doesn't have to be in one go, since a daily total is what counts.

The benefits are wide. Sport strengthens muscle and bone, builds lean body mass, raises confidence, reduces stress, supports mental health, and improves heart and circulatory health.

It also helps a child manage their weight. With diabetes rising among children, enough physical activity is a genuine protection.

Knowing the benefits, the next job is keeping a child consistent and enthusiastic about it. Here's what helps.

Start With Yourself

Children watch what their parents do. If you want a child active and enthusiastic about sport, it has to start with parents who enjoy it themselves.

Tell Them Your Own Stories

Talk about the enjoyable things that happened to you through sport, including anything you achieved. Those stories help keep a child enthusiastic and active.

Put It on a Schedule

Every good habit needs a regular slot, sport included. It doesn't have to be long at first, and 30 minutes a day is enough while the habit and the schedule take hold.

Do It Together

Try to exercise alongside your child. If they're swimming, swim with them, and make it a regular thing you do together. A child is far more comfortable with it when a parent is doing it too.

Match the Sport to Their Age

Make sure the sport suits your child's age, so they develop properly and enjoy doing it. Here's roughly how that breaks down.

Ages 1 to 4

At this age it's walking, running, climbing, interactive games and dancing. The aim is building motor skills rather than anything competitive.

Ages 5 to 6

Here a child can meet a wider range, including running, swimming, throwing and catching. Focus on making sport enjoyable at this age rather than competitive.

Ages 7 to 11

At this point a child can take on football, futsal, swimming or basketball. It's also the age to start teaching them how a team works.

Ages 11 to 12 and Older

Here sport works to strengthen muscle and bone and reduce body fat. Something competitive like martial arts or taekwondo is worth considering.

With the motivation and the age bands settled, the next step is choosing a sport and somewhere to do it. Training with professional coaches at a sports academy gets considerably more out of the time.

A professional coach also improves a child's ability faster, because they're working to a proper programme. Here's what's worth considering.