" Fit and active right from the start! "
Even the youngest children love to romp, run and climb. No child is unathletic. The only thing that varies is their predisposition for certain types of sport, and that's a good thing. Sport for children is just as important as a healthy and varied diet. Sooner or later, you as parents will have to ask yourself which sport is good for your child?
Parents as role models - active parents usually also have active children
Do you spend a lot of your free time outdoors and love jogging or cycling? Then congratulations! Because your child looks up to you and takes you as an example. Active parents hardly ever have to persuade their children to do sports. These children grow up with it automatically and naturally develop their own preferences over time.
Father and daughter playing tennis
However, the foundation stone is already laid at an early age. Support your child as much as you can so that they can develop a love and enthusiasm for an active life right from the start. Always be aware of your role model function.
Play, fun and lots of exercise with children's sports
No children's sport starts with tough performance training. Don't worry! It's much more about awakening the joy and fun of sport and encouraging it at the same time.
It is important that the little ones gain a sense of coordination, consolidate certain motor skills and also strengthen their fitness.
All this is offered by small sports groups that are tailored to the appropriate age. Find out a little more about which sports are suitable for children and which sports are recommended from which age.
Sports for children under the age of three
There are a few sports and groups that even the very youngest children can take part in. If your little sunshine is still wearing diapers, this does not mean that he or she is too young. On the contrary. There are activities for babies that you are very welcome to take part in:
Moms and newborns play with balls during baby swimming
Baby swimming
Water is the ultimate element for babies. After all, it wasn't so long ago that they felt right at home in it. Find out when the next baby swimming course starts in your area and become part of this community. As well as all the positive aspects in terms of development, it will give you unforgettable memories.
In addition to the usual changing bag, you will also need a changing bag for baby swimming:
- 1 small sports bag
- Swim diapers
- bath towel
- baby poncho or a hooded bath towel
- A change of clothes
Toddler group
The toddler group immediately follows. The little ones can crawl on soft mats and come into contact with new objects. Soft balls, rings and cloths provide pure enthusiasm for this first "sport". Use this opportunity to get in touch with other parents and support your child's healthy development.
Toddler group
Toddler sports group
From the age of around 2.5 years, some sports clubs offer their first toddler sports groups. Of course, this is still a long way from competitive sport. However, it is the perfect sport for children to start with. Through small games and their first sporting exercises, the little ones learn the basic elements of warming up, gymnastics and, of course, the first rules for sporting activities. This children's sport also serves some clubs as a basis for promoting young talent. Whether football, athletics or gymnastics.
- small sports bag
- short sportswear and long sportswear
- drink
- indoor sports shoes
- a small towel
Which sport is recommended at which age?
After the toddler group and the toddler sports group, you can slowly start looking for a suitable sport for your child. Not every sport is suitable for every child. For this reason, many clubs offer free trial training sessions. This allows the little ones to try out a new sport. This should not be a cliché. Girls, for example, enjoy football just as much as some boys enjoy dancing. Be open-minded and get an overview of which sports are offered regionally. Sometimes, of course, the little ones automatically grow into a particular children's sport. Especially if the parents are already active there.
Little girl riding
For some sports, however, children should have reached school age. This includes handball, for example. This rather complex team sport is demanding and very physical and therefore not yet suitable for toddlers or first graders. When it comes to choosing the right sport, you should also consider your child's aptitude. The most popular sports for children include
- gymnastics
- soccer
- Athletics
- Dancing
- horseback riding
- Swimming
- judo
- karate
- Handball
Positive aspects of sport for children
Apart from improving health, sport has a positive effect on children in many areas. Children automatically get to know themselves and their bodies much better and enjoy pushing themselves to their limits. Coordination and motor skills are well trained and the physical condition is ideal. But social aspects should not be forgotten either.
Children playing football
Sport in the community promotes social skills. Young children have fun together and when they are old enough to play a sport as a team, they develop skills such as team spirit, compassion and healthy ambition. Last but not least, self-confidence is always strengthened.
Lack of exercise: the threat of serious consequences
While an adult should be active around two to three times a week to stay fit and vital, children should get at least one to two hours of exercise a day. The little ones instinctively do a lot of sport. Be it climbing in the playground, playing tag in the playground or running around in the fresh air.
Climbing on the playground
Nevertheless, in this day and age, it has become increasingly difficult to detach children from digital entertainment. A lack of exercise, however, can cause health problems that not only have a negative impact on development, but also lead to permanent limitations.
There is a threat:
- Obesity
- Poor posture
- Diseases such as diabetes
- lack of social contact
- Poor motor skills
This makes it all the more important to get a child used to sport as early as possible and to allow them to grow up with sufficient exercise. Sport for children is much more than just an activity. It is essential when it comes to healthy development.
With this in mind: sport free!
It is not always necessary to enrol a child in a sports club. If time doesn't allow it or there are simply no clubs, then it's time to lace up your running shoes and off you go. Even the playground can become a real sports arena. Climbing and gymnastics are always possible here.
Child jumping on a trampoline
It is also advisable to provide children with some sports equipment for individual use. This could be hula hoops, skipping ropes, balls in general and, if space allows, a small trampoline in the garden. It is always important that you do not leave the little ones unsupervised when they are out on the track on their balance bikes or when they are trying out the trampoline for the first time.
