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The Benefits of Soccer for Children
from:Soccer is great for kids! It can help increase their self-esteem, help keep them healthier and more physically fit, and it can help boost their grades too!
Studies show that children involved in soccer at an early age (sometimes as young as 2 or 3), are healthier, have a better attitude, learn how to work in groups, being more of a “team player,” and enjoy sports more.
Why do kids love playing soccer? It can be played in the backyard with a sibling or parent, or in an organized group at school or in the neighborhood.
Involvement in this fast-paced sport promotes continual movement on the field. This is a great way for kids to play outside and get some exercise on a regular basis. With childhood obesity rates rising sharply in recent years, parents are learning the importance of instilling a love for physical activity in their children from the earliest age possible
But, soccer isn’t just good for a child’s physical health – their mental, emotional and scholastic health improves in players too. Such social benefits as learning to get along with others, working as a team for better results, contributing through individual effort for a collective goal, and experiencing the highs and lows of organized sports can all aid a child’s development in many ways. Many life skills are learned on the soccer field including:
* How to form and build relationships.
* How to develop a sense of cooperation with others.
* How to lead people.
* How to handle adversity.
* The meaning of commitment.
With so many benefits to getting your child involved in soccer, how do you know when it’s time for him/her to join a team? Ask yourself (and your child), these important questions to find out:
* Are we ready for the level of commitment that is required for team play in regards to practice sessions and games?
* How far are we willing to travel to practice sessions and games?
* What is the financial cost to play? Some leagues offer pay when you play options, while others charge monthly or seasonal fees.
* What do we expect to get out of playing soccer?
* How best does my child learn and stay interested in new activities? Are they happy just to be involved or do they prefer more competition?
Once you have considered the above questions, it’s time to find a club, league or team near you. How?
* Checking with your local Parks and Recreation Department for a league schedule.
* Ask about teams at your child’s school.
* Get in touch with your local Soccer Association by searching the web or looking in yellow pages.
* Ask other parents about local junior and youth soccer teams in your area.
* Check for youth soccer news and notices in your local newspaper.
Encourage your children to ask their friends where they play.
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