Why is Sport Important for Children?
Children have to be active every day. Physical activity stimulates growth and leads to improved physical and emotional health. Today, research shows that the importance of physical activity in children is stronger than ever. For example, medical researchers have observed that highly active children are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer of the colon, obesity, and coronary heart disease later in life.
Exercise is also known to relieve stress. Some children experience as much stress, depression, and anxiety as adults do. And because exercise improves health, a fit child is more likely to be well-rested and mentally sharp. Even moderate physical activity has been shown to improve a child’s skill at arithmetic, reading, and memorization.
But sport, not just exercise, gives a child more than just physical well-being; it contributes to a child’s development both psychologically and socially. Sport psychologist Dr. Glyn Roberts of the University of Illinois has worked primarily in children’s sport for the last two decades. He emphasizes that sport is an important learning environment for children.
“Sport can affect a child’s development of self-esteem and self-worth,” explains Roberts. “It is also within sport that peer status and peer acceptance is established and developed.”
One way children gain acceptance by their peers is to be good at activities valued by other children, says Roberts. Research shows that children would rather play sports than do anything else. A study conducted in the United States showed that high school boys and girls would rather be better at sports than in academic subjects. The same study showed that high school boys would rather fail in class than be incompetent on the playing field.
Because sport is important to children, being good at sports is a strong social asset. Young boys in particular use sports and games to measure themselves against their friends. Children who are competent at sports are more easily accepted by children of their own age, and are more likely to be team captains and group leaders. Such children usually have better social skills.
The primary goal of parents and coaches is to help children find the success in sport they need to make them feel valued and wanted. Every child can be successful at one sport or another. Take the time to find the sports that are right for each child.
Pear & Blackberry Crumbles
Ingredients
- 700g (or 4 large) ripe pears, peeled and cubed
- 100g golden granulated sugar
- 250g blackberries
- 200g plain flour
- 100g unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces
- 85g shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
- 100g demerara / light brown sugar
- ice cream, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Heat oven to 375’F. Place the pears in a medium-size pan, add the granulated sugar and cook on a medium heat until the fruit starts to soften and releases its juices, about 10 mins. Add the blackberries and bring back to the boil, then remove from the heat. Spoon the fruity mixture into 4 individual ovenproof ramekins, or 1 large baking dish.
Place the flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a large bowl and rub together with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the pistachios and demerara sugar, then stir to combine.
Sprinkle crumble evenly over the cooked fruit. This can be done up to 1 day ahead, or frozen for up to 1 month. Bake for 20-25 mins if small, 40 mins if large, until golden. If baking from frozen, add 15 mins cooking time. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, then serve with ice cream, if you like.
Serves: 4
Standing Side Stretch
(A) Stand with your feet together and your arms straight overhead. Clasp your hands together, with your fingers interlaced and pointer fingers extended. Inhale as you reach upward.
(B) Breathe out as you bend your upper body to the right. Take five slow breaths. Slowly return to the center. Repeat on the left side.
