Sport: making the right choice for your child

[9 September 2009 - 11h16]

Physical activity and sport are essential to your child’s well-being. In the same way as emotional relations, sleep and food. But be careful – some activities are better suited than others to certain age groups…

Up to the age of six, gymnastics, climbing simple objects and ball games are particularly recommended. It is also important to start your little one on activities that will help him learn how to fall without hurting himself… such as skating and judo, for example.

From the age of 6 to 12, get him to “work” on his suppleness. Up to the age of 10 is best for this, hence the importance of gymnastics. If your child is capable of listening and learning outside of the family environment, you could also enrol him on group courses to learn sports such as tennis.

The period from 12 to 15 marks the start of puberty. This is a time of constant physical development in which children grown an average of 12 centimetres per year! At this stage they can take on more sustained sports such as basketball, football, tennis and combat sports. Ideally a balanced combination is what you should aim for, in order to develop endurance, suppleness, dexterity and speed.

From the age of 15 onwards, physical activity will become more intense. However, it’s important to avoid overworking the body and, focusing exclusively on body-building before the age of 16 should never be allowed. While your child’s bone development is not yet complete, he still needs to take special care with cartilage and tendons.

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