What are the benefits of physical activity in child development?

Physical activity such as participating in sports and games aids not only in the development of a child's motor skills, it also helps in the growth of psychosocial health that forms the basis for a holistic development. Sports or any form of physical activity releases plenty of feel-good hormones called endorphins. Sports also foster self-esteem and physical and mental maturity to deal with victories or losses

How do we ensure that children develops an interest in sport and zeroes down on an appropriate activity?

Ways to Develop Sports Interest in Kids: 1. Identify child's enthusiasm and preference for a particular sport. 2. Encourage child to participate in a sport, irrespective of her age or skill level. 3. Expose child to different sports and activities. 4. Find out if child is an extrovert or an introvert. Introverts are better with one-on-one sports and small group sports. An extrovert child may be better suited for a competitive team sport like football, hockey etc. 5. Always be supportive, and never on winning. Rather focus on participation, teamwork and above all, in having fun. 6. Work out the cost and logistics -Does it suit the family income? How much can the family or child invest?

Is your child ready for sports?

A child's readiness depends on: 1. Physical maturity: Does the child have the strength, height, weight, stamina and agility for a particular sport? 2. Emotional Maturity: Does the child have a positive attitude and emotional readiness to handle physical and mental stress? A doctor's certificate is also vital before a child starts any sports program. A complete health check-up will enable the child to take up a sport without the risk of developing a chronic illness.

What is the role of coach in enhancing sports performance?

The coach plays a very important role in the way a child perceives the sport, and the attitude the child develops towards it. Parents need to keep the coach's working style/approach in mind before deciding on a sport. Does the coach focus more on competition or does he work on developing skills, or does he believe in teamwork and having fun. As parents, we need to try and support the coach in his decisions, as he knows the game, and understands what works best for the child and the team. Similarly, we should not disagree with the coach in front of the child. Inputs/suggestions and questions should always be discussed privately in a calm manner.

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