How to choose the best sports for your child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health.

Milenka Duarte/El Comercio GDA
this childhood This is a critical stage, during which the foundation for development is laid. physicistemotional, cognitive and social. The quality of childhood has a great influence on children’s development Welfare This person’s life.

to this end, sports It is more than just a recreational activity, it plays a vital role in the overall development of young people, enabling them to enjoy a healthier, happier and more prosperous future.

Sports in childhood are a powerful tool for development healthy and In good healthas it helps control weight and strengthens bones and other structures of the musculoskeletal system.

It can also increase muscle mass, improve Cardiovascular enduranceas well as facilitating the development of basic motor skills, such as coordination and balance. There is no doubt that these healthy habits, developed from an early age, will have a lasting impact on health throughout life, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease, explains sports physician Luis del Aguila.

has a difference benefit Compared to individual sports, children can benefit from participating in team sports. On the one hand, Ricardo Gonzalez, a professor of physical therapy at the University of Applied Sciences of Peru, said that team sports provide opportunities to work with others and develop communication, cooperation and leadership skills to achieve common goals. Similarly, they learn that their individual performance affects the entire team, strengthen their sense of shared responsibility, and teach them to bear the consequences of their actions.

“On the other hand, children who follow certain rules Individual Sports They develop a greater sense of autonomy and confidence by relying on themselves to achieve their goals and improve their personal performance. Of course, they require a great deal of discipline and a deeper psychological approach to identify a range of strategies and techniques, which in turn facilitate the development of self-assessment skills. ”The professional says.

Sports doctors believe that parents play a fundamental role in promoting their children’s participation in sports activities, because children often imitate their parents’ behavior, that is, if they see their guardians enjoying sports activities and participating in them, sportsthey are also more likely to do so. In addition, if children feel supported by their parents, they can experience a greater sense of happiness and comfort when engaging in physical training. Therefore, it is important to encourage and praise their efforts regardless of the outcome, and to emphasize fun and skill development rather than competition.

“It is well known that participation in sports provides discipline, responsibility and teamwork, which is why parents must also reinforce these values ​​by encouraging their children to fulfill their sports commitments, such as attending training sessions and games and following the rules set in advance by the team or coach, thereby preventing them from abandoning sports practice. Likewise, their willingness to provide guidance and support when necessary is also important,” the expert said.

Although initially Choose the right exercise This can be a real challenge for children and there are undoubtedly factors that both parents and young people should consider to make the best decision. In principle, as physiotherapists emphasize, it is important to observe Children’s interests and hobbiesin other words, if you have an interest in a certain sport. Of course, it must be an activity that you enjoy, captures your attention, makes you feel happy and relaxed, as this will increase your motivation and commitment to the said discipline.

It is also necessary to consider Natural abilities and strengths It is also important to encourage children to try different sports before making a final decision.

“Unfortunately, many times parents make bad decisions for their children, so they are forced to do activities they are not really passionate about, and as a result, they may show a lack of motivation and commitment, as well as poor performance. Again, this can create depression and even anxiety, which directly affects their emotional well-being.

So the most important thing is that they find their interest, have fun with it, and then they can choose some kind of sport, whether it’s competitive or just for fun,” the doctor said.