Children and Sports
Get active with your child on National Sport Day and encourage every child to take up a sport
Authors: Ms. Anupama Jithesh, Dr. Sohaila Cheema, Dr. Karima Chaabna, Dr. Amit Abraham
Sports contribute immensely to the physical and mental development of children. Children who play a sport have better social skills and form healthy habits, which last into adulthood.
Benefits of sports for children
Playing a sport is an engaging activity and a great way to meet the physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents aged five to seventeen years, which is 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous intensity activity throughout the week, and activities that strengthen muscles and bones at least 3 days a week.
Participation in sports teaches children new skills. For example, playing football or cricket improves their motor skills and coordination as they learn to hit the ball with the bat or score a goal with their feet. It also allows children to remain active and reduces screen time and sedentary behaviour.
Sports also contribute to the mental well-being of children. It teaches them to control their emotions and learn social skills such as forming new friendships outside of school. It teaches them to cooperate and work as a team, giving them a sense of belonging. Participation in a sport also promotes discipline as children are expected to follow rules and show respect for teammates, opponents, and coaches. Sports participation involves competition and children learn how to handle success, stressful periods, and failure. Losing in sports teaches them to look at failure as a learning opportunity and motivates them to persevere, thus helping them to become resilient.
Tips to help your child enjoy sport
- The biggest influence on a child’s physical activity levels is parental behavior. Therefore, parents should be role models for children by being active and participating in sports or games as appropriate.
- Choose an age and developmentally appropriate sport for your child. For example, riding a bike, swimming, and football are appropriate for five- or six-year-olds. As they grow older, adventure activities like mountain biking or rock climbing might be more appealing.
- Find out what your child enjoys by allowing them to try different sports before enrolling them in one. Holiday sports camps or after school sports clubs are a great way to try different sports.
- Make it a fun experience! Keep the child interested in the sport by developing a positive sporting attitude and applauding the efforts of the child and their team. Remind them it is not just about winning or being the best.
- Watch sporting events or games together and make it a family activity.
- Gift children sports-related gifts like a bicycle, rollerblades, a trampoline, or sports apparel.
- Research indicates that girls do not pursue sports once they hit puberty because they fear being teased, lack confidence, or just because they lose interest. Encourage them to read or watch biographies of inspirational female athletes. Help them realize that regular sports participation will help them feel more confident, physically strong, and help build a positive body image.
- It is important for children with disabilities to stay active for optimum health and development. Qatar Foundation champions inclusiveness and has ability-friendly sports programmes for the whole community.
Qatar is one of the few countries in the world to have a designated national sport day with the aim to promote sports and regular physical activity. Get active with your child on National Sport Day and encourage every child to take up a sport.
Happy National Sports Day, 2023!
Sources: Aspetar | Center for Nutrition in Schools (CNS) | Exercise Right | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Qatar Foundation (QF)
Edited by: Mr. John Hayward