Three Reasons Kids Should Play Sports and Join Activities

Ever since my children were young I knew I wanted to put them in sports and activities as soon as I could. It seemed to take forever before big bug could join anything though.

Sports Are Great Exercise for Kids

My thought was that I want them to have fun as well as try new things. Also, I think it's important to keep kids active these days with how many electronics there are. Doesn't it seem like a child can just pick up a new electronic and know how to work it so much faster than you could? I hate when my son chooses to play an electronic instead of playing outside or being creative. Having him in sports gives him set times I know he will be getting much needed exercise.

Sports and Activities Give Children Confidence

The first thing big bug tried was soccer. He was three years old and this was the first thing he did somewhat independently from us. He had gone to daycare very briefly when he was a baby but other than that he had always been with me or family. Let's just say he was not having soccer. Pretty much we had to follow him around the field or he had to follow us. It was nice getting him out there to try something new but it was a little sad too. He couldn't really enjoy playing because he had to make sure where we were at all times. Trying soccer did however teach him something I was not expecting. While it didn't seem like he was learning anything it did teach him that it is okay to be away from mommy and daddy. After soccer he did great at all other sports and us leaving him a preschool. He just had to get that first foot out of the door and he was fine.

Sports and Activities Teach Kids How to Work Together

After soccer big bug tried t-ball. T-ball has by far been his most favorite sport. He still plays soccer but he really loves T-ball. I love that this sport is so much more organized than soccer at this age. For a good few years soccer is just buffalo ball. The kids just run aimlessly after the ball trying to kick it. I love that in t-ball you have positions right from the beginning. I am all for order! Since there are positions in t-ball the kids really have to learn how to play together and work truly as a team. It gives them practice at taking turns and even teaches them empathy when a teammate gets injured.

Over, the years my oldest son has tried a variety of things. He's done soccer, t-ball, karate, swimming, basketball, classes at a local zoo, community center classes, boy scouts, and probably other things I can't think of right now. Someday I would like for him to try a summer camp like http://www.chateaugay.com. I haven't ventured into those just quite yet because they can be quite expensive. I will have to break down and try something like that one day though. I know he will love it.

This fall I get to venture into having two children in sports. Baby Bug gets to try soccer and t-ball for the first time this fall. Wish me luck! What sports do you or your children enjoy? Do they do a regular activity? How do you keep your kids active?

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