There are several reasons children choose to play sport, but there seems to be five that stand out. The great news is those five reasons, are also five of the reasons sport is so benefical for them.

If you are looking to encourage your child to engage in sport activities, here are some of the reasons that might convince or motivate them to get active!

1) To Have Fun

This is the easiest and most obvious reason for motivating your child to engage in sports. According to a recent study, this is one reason that has motivated children to play sports on their own. So, why not leverage this natural instinct and encourage them to participate in healthy activities?

Ensure you allow your child choose the specific sport they want to participate in to increase their level of enjoyment.If you attempt to "force" an activity or sport on them, they might lose motivation.

2) Learn New Skills

Kids are natural sponges and will quickly absorb information or skills they encounter in their day to day life. Sports is a great teacher for almost anything, whether it be skills, attitude, and physical development. When a child finds a specific sport interesting, they have a natural tendency to try it out. This will open up their learning ability to gain new skills and develop them with the continued practice of the sport.

3) Gain New Friends

Camaraderie is important for children and adults alike. But it is a more exciting prospect for children as they tend to move towards, and engage in, activities that enable them to make new friends. This is one of the top reasons children play sport and it is a factor that makes the experience more enjoyable for them. This can differ from adults who sometimes participate in sports for the competitive challenge.

It is also beneficial for a child's development to spend more time with like-minded peers and those with whom they share the same interest. This can assist to enhance their social behaviors while also encouraging interaction among their peers.

4) Compete

Although playing sports for competition is more common among adults, children can play competitive sports too. This is more common for older children and teenages and is a great way to instill discipline and confidence within them. However, it is important for parents not to push their children to engage in competitive sports. Let it come out of your child naturally or it may place too much pressure on them and take away the fun in engaging with sports activities.

Furthermore, you need to instill the right attitude needed to compete in sports. Ensure they understand it is not about losing or winning, but about giving it your best at every competition.

5) Establish Sense of Belonging

There are several team sports that your child can engage in such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, to name a very few. This is a great way to develop their ability to work with a team and make them feel part of something. Developing a sense of belonging is important for children, especially those entering their adolescent stage.

Keep in mind these five reasons children play sport and continue to encourage your children to pursue their chosen sport. Before long, they will reap the benefits of engaging in such activities.