Physical activity is important for children develop

Why is sport important children? The Ottawa Cltlzen Straight Talk About Children And Sport hlldren have to be active every day. Physical activity stimulates growth and leads to Improved physical and emotionalhealth. Today, research shows that the Importance ot physical activity in children is stronger than ever. For example, medical researchers have observed that highly active children are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer of the colon, obesity, and coronary heart isease later in life.

Exercise is also known to relievestressSome children experience as much stress, depression, andanxietyas adults do. And because exercise Improves health, a fit child Is more likely to be well-rested and mentally sharp. Even moderate physical activity has been shown to Improve a child’s skill at arithmetic, reading, and memorization. But sport, not just exercise, gives a child more than just physical well-being; it contributes toa child’s development both psychologically and socially.

Sport psychologist Dr. Glyn Roberts of the University of Illinois has worked primarily in children’s sport for the last two decades. He emphasizes that sport is an important learningenvironmentfor children. ” Sport can affect a child’s development of self-esteem and self-worth,” explains Roberts. ” It Is also wlthln sport that peer status and peer acceptance Is established and developed. ” One way children gain acceptance by their peers is to be good at activities valued by other children, says Roberts.

Research shows that children would rather play sports than do anything else. A study conducted in the united States showed that high school boys and girls would rather be better at sports than inacademicsubjects. The same study showed that high school boys would rather fall in class than be Incompetent on the playing field. Because sport Is Important to children, being good at sports Is a strong social asset. Young boys in particular use sports and games to measure themselves against their riends.

Children who are competent at sports are more easily accepted by children of their own age. and are more likely to be team captains and group leaders. Such children usually have better social skills. The primary goal of parents and coaches is to help children find the success in sport they need to make them feel valued and ‘ Of2 wanted. Every cn110 can De successTul at one spo the sports that are right for each child.