How to get your child interested in sports (and the why too)

I’ve blogged about many topics, but this is one which is equally important, yet I’ve not touched on yet. I must say, I have got better at getting my children interested in sports from my first to my second child, and mostly I think it is down to two factors, which I will touch on in this post.

Many children are starting to live sedentary lives while us parents try to fight against the battle of screen time and technology. Malta has the highest obesity rate in Europe, so we should definitely be concerned about the lifestyles are children are moving into.

Here are two easy ways to help encourage your kids be interested in sports

I feel that these two simple shifts have made a substantial difference between my eldest, who enjoys being active, but not sports per se, and my youngest, who is only four years old yet will choose swimming, running, football or ballet any day over her tablet.

1. Start them young

We grow, we learn, we educate ourselves. With my second, I enrolled Nina into an active environment when she was a little over a year old. Granted, it was only a simple movement class which I attended with her, but we instilled a sense of consistently showing up for a dynamic, physical activity ever since she can remember.

2. Give them variety

There are a few kids who will love any sport you will throw at them, but the majority will prefer one or two specific ones. Restricting your child to one sport, which let’s be honest, we probably chose ourselves, can do more harm than good. I’m sure we can all understand that should a child be thrown into the deep end with a sport they dislike, they will very quickly develop a resistance to all kinds of sports.
With the busy lives that we lead I can understand that this option doesn’t make sense from a practical standpoint. You’re most certainly baffled at this point, and wondering why I am suggesting something which is not half as sensible as I usually recommend 🙂 Well, I have recently been introduced to a local sports program which rather than focusing on one sport, offers a variety.

SportsKidz

SportsKidz organise after-school programmes in a selection of different schools on the island.

Children are divided into age groups – 3 to 5 years (these practice for 1.5 hour sessions), and 6 to 8 as well as 9 to 11 and 12+ years of age (these practice for 3 hour sessions).

The sports on offer vary between athletics, gymnastics, judo, table
tennis, karate, taekwondo, handball, basketball, volleyball, football, netball, tag rugby, badminton, hockey, golf, tennis, pickle ball and kwiik cricket. See what I mean when I say variety?

There are several GREAT reasons to get your child interested in sports.

1. Participation is healthy

Notice I say participation, and not competition. So many sports clubs foster a strong sense of competition – when in reality, what we should be aiming for is participation. In today’s world, there is enough comparison and competition, and peer pressure is on the rise. Instead, try and look for a club which emphasises on the participation aspect, which will help your child boost confidence and encourages teamwork and friendships. SportsKidz is one of them.

2. It’s a great habit!

At around the age of 7, children tend to start becoming less active, mostly due to the increased homework and academic commitments. After-school sports clubs can help keep children keep up their healthy active habits as they they encourage routine exercise with an emphasis on fun.

3. Communication, communication, communication

This probably wouldn’t be a benefit we’d rattle off at first thought, but sports does present a huge advantage in that it helps build communication skills. The actual, face-to-face, intimate communication that we so often lack nowadays.
Social interaction, especially in a non-competitive environment, will have many positive effects on the child’s life: at home, in the classroom and other areas.

More on SportsKidz

SportsKids ticks all the boxes – I love the fact that there is an emphasis on variety and fun.
They have over 18 scheduled sports over the course of this coming year. SportsKidz ensures ensures that participating children are working a range of different muscles and joints which is excellent for fitness, coordination and development. All the while, the emphasis is on the children having a fantastic time!

For more information about the SportsKidz programme, visit
their website, email edward@sportskidz.com.mt or call on 7942 2054. The programme runs on weekends concurrently with the academic year, with this year kicking off on Friday 4 October.

PS: Whilst we’re on the topic of sports and being active, I’ve decided to talk about how I keep myself active. It’s changed as I’ve changed and as my routines have changed – so I will let you in on the details. PPS: I’m no hardcore gym-goer or training mama, so don’t expect anything of the sort! Think practical, keep yourself moving kind of thing instead 🙂 Catch you on the Mama Manual Facebook page at 4:30pm Malta time (GMT + 2)