Organized sports increase children's fitness

Even if professional sports are not in your child's future, organized sports offer benefits to your child that can last a lifetime, according to a press release from the US General Services Administration, Consumer Information Center. Not only do children who play organized sports become more physically fit, they also have higher self-esteem. Children involved in organized sports learn cooperation, self-discipline, perseverance, and social skills while doing something fun.

Parents can help their children get involved in organized sports by spending some time with them learning about and trying different sports. The best sport for a child is one that he or she finds interesting and fun. "Your Child and Organized Sports," a free publication from the MetLife Consumer Education Center and the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, offers the following helpful tips for parents and children to get the most out of organized sports.

* Consult your physician--bring your children in for pre-sports checkups.

* Be prepared to make your own commitment to the sport--your children will need the proper sports equipment and transportation to and from events. Show your children your full support by making every effort to attend their practices and games.

* Teach the concept of "fair play" by not boasting when your child wins and avoiding criticism of other players and coaches.

* Encourage your children to give their best effort and to respect their teammates, coaches, and opponents.

* Stress the fun of the game more than the winning.

STARTING SPORTS

It's not easy to determine how early to start children in organized sports. Children of the same age vary considerably in their physical and psychological maturation, and there is no practical method of measuring maturity. Assuming the child has shown interest, five or six is the generally accepted earliest starting age for organized team sports. At the early ages participation should be limited to sports that involve a lot of physical activity and encourage the development of major motor muscles.
Children in grades 1 - 4 can benefit most from games that are modified to meet their needs and abilities. Play and fun are more important to this age group than highly structured sports that emphasize the outcome rather than the process. Parents and coaches are usually the ones concerned about winning and losing. When helping your child select a sport, keep balance in mind. Encourage your children to try many sports and activities when young and not to think of specializing or playing competitively until they reach middle school. Make sure a balance also occurs between adult organized activities and free playtime. Children need time to just be kids and to play with other kids without a set of rules or adult involvement.
The most important decisions to make, are which youth sports organizations and which coaches are best for your child. Make sure that you take the time to find out about the league, its leaders and coaches. Better yet, get involved and volunteer to coach. Participating in sports is a healthy way, both physically and socially, for your children to channel their youthful energy in a positive direction. Make sure your children's first experience encourages them to begin a lifelong interest in physical activities and good health.
There are many other options besides team sports available to a child who wants to participate in sports. Parents should also encourage their children to become involved in individual and lifetime sports such as bowling, golf, swimming, tennis, gymnastics and martial arts.