Getting kids off the sofa and onto the sports pitch brings a wide variety of physical, mental and social skills which will bode well for them as they reach adulthood and beyond.
And obviously, we would say that. But in order to prove our point, we've compiled no less than 9 reasons why kids should get off the sofa and play some sport.
1. Improve physical health
Forgive me for starting with the obvious, but sport brings physical health benefits to anyone who takes to the field – and children are no different.
According to to Public Health England's 2014/15 child obesity figures, 9.1% of 4-5 year olds are obese, with that figure rising to 19.1% for children aged 10-11.
The importance of getting kids out playing sport first starts with the physical advantages, and given the figures – it's clearly important to get them involved as young as possible.
You can never just expect their experiences in PE to fuel a want for more sport - it needs to be supported with recreational sport.
Rather than reminiscing about how you never wasted so much time in-front of the TV as a child, ensure your kids are enthused and excited by sport, and all the health benefits will immediately follow.
2. Lifelong well-being
The older a child gets involved in sport, the less-likely they are to consider it an important part of their lives, and the less chance you'll have of securing their interest as they progress into adulthood.
Sport is a great avenue for promoting a healthy lifestyle, and this feeds into a number of other areas of life. For example, those who consistently play sport are more likely to be aware of the healthy food choices they need to make in order to perform.
As an adult, your position as a positive role-model is vital. Make healthy lifestyle choices and promote regular exercise as a parent, and your children are likely to follow suit.
The physical advantages to playing sport are well-documented, but that's not the only boost you'll get to your well-being by getting out and about. A fit and active body has been proven to translate into a fit and active mind. Reduce stress and increase mental health by getting you kids active.
All these factors roll together to help children build a healthy state of well-being that will last them a lifetime.
3. Develop social skills
Developing social skills is another huge part of parenting, and one that again needs to be developed at a young age if the benefits are to be reaped in the future.
One of the best ways to develop a child's social skills is through getting involved in sport, particularly team-based activities. Communicating new ideas, listening to others as part of a group, and using communication to solve problems by working as a team – just a few of the things children learn from getting involved in sport.
On top of that, a child can grow into the first leadership role of their lives by taking a captains role in a sports team. Again, exposing children to environments where communication is key pay-offs big time in the future. Their conversational skills and ability to play a role in a team or as a leader will come in handy as an adult in the future.
4. Build self-esteem and confidence
Moving slightly back to the development of personal, social-based skills, self-esteem and confidence are two further areas where children can benefit through the means of sport.
5. It could even go somewhere...
As a child, it was always my dream to step out at Lords as an opening batsman. Unfortunately, my dreams were scuppered by one tiny barrier – talent. Still, using that dream as a motivational tool was great for feeding my enthusiasm for sport, and for some the dream does come true.
Competition for places on the professional sporting ladder is fierce, and it probably isn't wise to start convincing your child that they're the next Lionel Messi or Dan Carter. But growing their love for sport by watching how the elite go about it is great for aspirational reasons, and will ensure they stick around in sport for the long-term.
Help your child look at sport from a positive frame of mind, looking to emulate their favourite sportsmen and women out on the field – rather than it being a chore they don't enjoy. It'll fuel their willingness to work, improve and succeed.
