5 Things Your Child Could Lose If They Don’t Do Sport

By Matthew Imerhion

Sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill. Children stand to gain so much by indulging in sport and lose same when they don’t, especially now that we live in a competitive and dynamic world. Indulging your child in at least one sporting activity will help give him a competitive edge in life. If you don’t, these are the things your child stand to lose:

1. Being a Fighting Machine

Life is not a bed of roses. There are difficult times at random points and places in our lives and if we are going to beat these odds, we need to remain active. When children get involved in sports, they build their bodies into functional fighting machines. Their bodies become skilled in the art of self-defense. ANY regular sport activity, however, is a form of exercise that will help increase their immunity against diseases and infections. That is not to mention tougher muscles, and stronger bones with agility. Your child couldn’t possibly thank you enough for this health insurance.

2. Amazing Ability to Improve Mentally 

Sports demand physical activities which improve mental clarity through increase of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This causes the parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning to work at their own Einstein rates. Consequently, this has a high tendency to make them creative in problem-solving and perform better in their academics. It is important to engage children in sports as early as possible as the liberating effects on developing brains are more ‘permanent’ than when older developed brainiacs go sporting.

3. Focused On Success!

Organized sporting games require practice and involve competition, both of which teach kids how to focus on a goal and achieve success. For instance, focus is important in completing the 400 meter lapse or scoring a three pointer on the basket ball court. It’s also important in academic pursuits or grooming skills. Experts, for instance, say professional badminton players exhibit more electrical activity in the brain areas responsible for memory and attention than ordinary recreational players. I think it is safe to say therefore, that constant physical exercise reinforces the brain’s ability to concentrate.

4. Fosters Friendship 

Constant practice with team members fosters good relationships. Bonds get stronger among team members and these relationships could go on well after the sport sessions and even into adulthood. Friendships are not built only among team players but also among members of opposing teams. Even parents could build and maintain good relationships. Talking about the youth soccer community she takes her children to, Yahoo! Network contributor, Chrissie Klinger tells of how “one of the soccer dads passed away and the entire soccer community was there for the family, creating a college fund for his daughters.” Aside that, getting actively involved in sports can make your child relate better with other children and adults from varieties of backgrounds.

5. For the Team

Although not all team members may be agreeable or likeable, group sports like basket ball, soccer and relay races have the added advantage of making your child a team player. Parents who are employed or employers know that the ability to function in a team despite personality differences is a major plus in any organization. As mentioned earlier, sports are usually competitive and in order to win any group sports, there has to be understanding, respect and synergy among the members of a team. These skills once ingrained in your child’s mind will go with him and cause him to be a significant member in any organization.