I found this article on a kids health website that gave 5 good reasons young girls should play sports. Of course boys should too it would have many of the same effects, but this was specific to girls. 1. Girls who play sports do better in school: exercise improves learning, memory, and concentration.
2. Playing sports teaches girls teamwork and goal-setting skills: working with teammates and coaches to achieve goals teaches them how to be successful.
3. Sports improve health: which is something everyone knows, but starting them at a young age helps reduce their risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis.
4. They boost self-confidence: improving and achieving goals builds confidence, as well as making the girls feel good about their bodies, and making new friends.
5. Exercise cuts pressure: Playing a sport can lessen the stress a girl feels, as well as making them happier. Exercise releases brain chemicals that improve a person's mood.
This is a great post. I believe all girls should be active at a young age! There are so many benefits such as physical, mental, and social. I have been active since I was very young. Some of my best memories come from competing on a team and the learning experiences that go along with it. I have met some of my best friends while playing sports. I met my best friend when I was 6 on my soccer team and we are still best friends as of today. Being active at a young age will guide these girls to a healthy future and they will make better choices as they grow up =)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article. I agree that girls should all be involved with sports especially at a young age. Boys are often forced in to sports and fitness right from he moment they start walking but girls are often not involved in sports unless they make that choice sometime during there life. It is important for girls to be involved in exercise and fitness for many reasons self confidence, self image, disease prevention and weight management are just a few of them. I have been involved in sports since I started playing soccer when I was 3. I have moved between different sports since then but have never really stopped being active. It had been a great way for me to exercise, make friends and learn more about how to stay healthy. Playing a sport jeeps you focused, motivated and determined to be the best you can be, which can only lead to better decisions later in life.
ReplyDeleteInformative article with great prompts and powerful reasons. One problem is that not everyone is good at sports or enjoys sports. Children should be encouraged to try many different type of group activities. In these cases I think everyone should expand their thoughts beyond the typical sports exercise and involve themselves or their children in a challenging comfort zone. There are Martial Arts and so many options. I danced as a child and got quite a bit of exercise, self awareness, discipline, and a sense of self pride. We had to be aware of our poise and presence. We were required to attend class clean and on time, prepared, having practiced, dignified, respectful and respected. I had to practice and know the steps and routine. We had to be able to act as one united group. Play groups are wonderful for children beginning at a very young age. It teaches about community, hierarchy, respect, co-operation, compromise, reciprocation, responsiveness, unanimity, unity. It prepares for celebration and failures. These activities along with the sports build people skills and problem solving skills. It is not always about what one wants but what is best or fair. Great article, so many do not look beyond the obvious benefits of a sport or activity.
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