Australia is an outdoor country, and we totally love our sports. And many parents ask about when they should get their children into sports, and the simple answer is, as soon as you can! Of course, the child should demonstrate an interest in the sport before you introduce them to it, plus the age at which they enter a sport would very much depend on the nature of the said sport.
Ball Sports
Kids of all ages love playing with a ball, and here in Australia, we actually have courses of basketball for toddlers, where young kids learn all about balance and movement, which are essential skills for basketball. If you look into top sporting stars, almost without exception, they started to play well before the age of 10; any ball sports are fun for young kids and letting toddlers kick a ball around is always a good idea.
Combat Sports
Sports such as boxing, MMA, wrestling, karate, Ju Jitsu and Muay Thai do require extra care and attention. Most experts would say that 10 is the ideal age for a boy or girl to start training for a combat sport, wearing all the protective gear, of course. Their activities would be limited, at least until they have the basic skills, and they should always be under supervision from a certified trainer/coach.
Follow Their Interest
The most important thing about introducing young children to sports is interest; the youngster must be interested enough to want to play, and armed with that motivation, basic tuition can begin. Sometimes, growth delay can occur, and this should be recognised and handled appropriately.
Is Professional Instruction Important?
For most sports, yes, as without instruction, the child might pick up bad habits that become very hard to break as they get older. Take a sport like golf as an example; the swing is critical, and the earlier a child gets professional instruction on their swing, the better. Once a basic golf swing has been learned, the young player has a firm foundation to build upon.
Weekend Sport Programs
Of course, children have to attend school, whether it be kindergarten, primary or secondary, which takes up all of their time and energy. The weekends are a great time to send your kids to a specialist sports program, where they can learn with their friends and develop their skills with structured exercises and free practice.
Private Coaching
If, for example, a child is showing great potential in a chosen sport, you should hire a private coach, a skilled person who can assess their abilities and build on existing skills, while introducing new ones. This would be a good long-term investment for your child’s future, and who knows? They might end up as an international star!
Be a Good Mentor
The most important aspect of young children playing sports is guidance and mentorship by the parents, and with the right support, your child can develop into a fine upstanding adult, while sports play a part in their life.