Active Searching for Active Pastimes
Whether you were the star player or the kid who picked flowers in the middle of the field all game, almost everyone has memories of being on a sports team when they were young. Some lose interest over time and pursue other activities, while others find they really enjoy their sport, maybe have a real talent for it, and continue playing until they are young adults. Whatever the case, parents should take a couple of factors into consideration when determining if their child is ready for sports. If they begin playing too early, it might turn them off to the sport before they really understand it. It could also result in premature wear on muscles and bones that prevents them from playing their sport later on. Most experts believe that the proper age for introducing your child to sports is somewhere between 6 and 9 years old. When they are younger than 6, it is important for them to be active, but their motor skills are not yet developed enough to play most competitive sports. Trying to get them to understand this fact at that age might only make them frustrated with the sport and make them dislike it before they can even give it a try. Even when children are between the ages of 6 and 9, they might not be ready for sports that require higher forms of coordination, like football or hockey. Instead, try sports like T-ball, soccer, or karate. They won’t be ready for more intensive sports until they are 10–12 years old.
If your child does not seem to enjoy team sports, you might see if they may like more individual sports, like running or swimming. Their personality can be just as significant as their age when it comes to choosing the right sport. Some children might not show interest in organized sports at all. If your child does not seem interested in any sports, even though they are old enough to understand the rules and are coordinated enough to play, you might want to consider other activities, like art or music classes. Still, it is essential that they are active for at least an hour every day, no matter their interests. Sometimes kids will get frustrated with the sports they play (even if they like playing them), and they might want to quit. If your child doesn’t seem to like the sport you signed them up for, encourage them to at least finish out the season. They might just need a little more time to warm up to it. However, if they still aren’t enjoying it at the end of the season, help them find other activities that they might like better. Ultimately, when a child is ready to play sports, it is important to stay in tune with what brings them joy and what keeps them mentally and physically healthy.
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Patient Testimonial
“Before I started my rehabilitation with the therapists at Gilbert PT, I was experiencing extreme shoulder pain and left forearm numbness. I was also unable to bend the thumb and forefinger of my left hand as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. After seeing several physicians for this persistent condition, I was referred to physical therapy. Since my wife had experienced great care with Gilbert PT, I decided to seek out treatment there for my condition. Dr. Jon, Pat, and Erin worked with me to alleviate my chronic pain and loss of strength and movement through the use of exercises, massages, and in-clinic treatments.” “Before physical therapy, I was unable to lift my arm above my head, and I couldn’t lift more than 5 pounds. In fact, I viewed my exercise class as a real chore. Now I have full movement and can finally get back to normal activities. Thank you to Dr. Jon, Pat, Erin, and the rest of the Gilbert PT staff for their expertise and their caring, patient-centered approach to treatment.” –Dennis B.
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