Parents all want what is best for their child. However, sometimes knowing what is best for them is not always easy. For instance, sports. Parents hate to see their child get hurt, so most sports are not “ideal”. Most also realize that their child may need sports to help their child develop motor skills and socialization skills. This makes things complicated at times. The one exception to this rule is that soccer is both non-violent and perfect for kids of all ages. There are also those who feel that soccer and motor skills go hand in hand.
Why Children Need Sports
Sports offer a lot of benefits to children of all ages. It can help them to become more social, learn how to follow rules, provides positive feedback, and teaches them that teamwork is a great thing, but it goes further than that. Children who play some type of sport also have better hand/eye coordination, better balance, less risk of being overweight, and more. This means that their motor skills are often accelerated, and they are able to do things faster than children who do not participate in sports.
Soccer and Children
If you look at a toddler, you will notice that most all of them will learn to kick a ball at about the same time that they learn to walk. It does not take them long to realize that when they move one foot forward, things happen. Therefore, soccer is a natural sport that does not feel as though they are having to “learn”. Soccer goes beyond the kicking a ball though. Some of the best moves in a soccer game require the player to use their knees and other body parts to move the ball forward. Any part of their body is allowed except for their hands. They have to think ahead of time and quickly, while balancing to kick, knee, or headbutt the ball to the other end of the field. It is an all around great workout for a child’s motor skill development.
Other Benefits to Soccer
If you have ever taken a child for a “well-baby” checkup, you know that pediatricians look for certain benchmarks in their motor skill development. Can they grip tightly? Are they able to pinch and pick up items? Can they stack blocks, hop, or do other things that children should be able to do? If your child is unable to achieve any of these motor skills, they may have trouble. Your pediatrician may talk to you about sensory processing disorder facts and recommend things that may improve your child’s motor skill development. If you build off the child’s natural desire to kick, run, and play; you may be saving yourself from all of the concerns that come along with not reaching those benchmarks. They will reach them ahead of time and have a great time while doing so. They will also learn important social skills along the way, which will also help them when they are in school and at play in the park. Can you think of anything better for your child?