Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Olympics may lead kids into sport, but parents can help keep them on track, expert says

But what about the financial cost? “Contact your community center and look at some of their five-it-a-go days. Or they might have camps or after-school drop-in programs that don’t require a huge monetary investment upfront,” said Taylor. “If they saw a couple of sports in the Olympics that seem to strike their fancy, go for it — one or two days or couple week trials,” she said. “If they have a liking for it, you can think of a longer investment into the program.”

Physiological and social benefits

Besides winning medals and encouraging exercise, Taylor said participation in sports has many other benefits for children, from physiological to social. “One thing that parents aren’t aware of that is so important, and that is on its decline in Canada, is child physical literacy,” she said, explaining it is the development of fundamental movements that kids need, such as running, hopping, and jumping.

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“With lower levels of activity and sports involvement, kids’ levels of physical literacy are on the decline.”

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Sports can also help kids learn the value of sharing and listening to criticism, and putting their needs behind those of their teammates. “Their immediate gratification might have to go to the side if they are doing a far-off goal that’s important for the program,” said Taylor.

William M. Alberts
William M. Alberts
Unable to type with boxing gloves on. Professional beer scholar. Problem solver. Extreme pop culture fan. Fixie owner, shiba-inu lover, band member, International Swiss style practitioner and holistic designer. Acting at the intersection of design and mathematics to save the world from bad design. I'm a designer and this is my work.

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