Introducing kids to sports

Filed in archive Kids and sports on July 10, 2007

The other day I started thinking about when I should introduce my son to sports.
I do believe that it is very important and will help him in the future in many ways.

Why should you introduce your kids to sports?
These are my reasons:
* If the play a team sport they learn how to compete with others instead of by themselves.
* If playing by themselves they learn how to fight for things (in this case sports/winning) in a good manner.
* It will hopefully keep them off the streets when they get older meaning no or less drug use and bad habits.
* They form a good habit for life.
* They concentrate better at school and their grades get better.

But when should you introduce your kids to sports?
I would say it depends on what sport you want your child to practice and the personality and development of your child. My son loves to play ball sports, no matter if it´s tennis, which I introduced him to the other day here at home, or if it´s football. But he is only 3,5 years old so he is still quite young. I am however going to look into the possibilities of him going to some training for kids soon.

But you shouldn´t just introduce and then leave your kid to it. You should encourage without getting too pushy and participate at practice. Support your child but if it turns out he/she doesn´t like sports, try something else or leave it for some time. Interest might grow along the way if you try to lead an active life with your kids.

Are your children practicing any sport? When did you introduce them to it?