There are so many activities for our kids to participate in today, but we’re confident that basketball is one of the best. This sport is filled with benefits for the little ones in our lives, including health improvements, skill strengthening, and just the chance to have some fun. Below, we’ll look into these benefits in detail so you can decide if basketball is the best choice for your preschooler’s next activity:
Basketball Promotes an Active Lifestyle
The largest and most obvious benefit of basketball for preschoolers is the physical activity it promotes. Basketball gets kids up and moving — running up and down the court, passing balls, shooting baskets, and so forth. The game doesn’t take many breaks from movement at all. This makes it a good break from the screens that so often fill our little ones’ schedules as well.
The exercise involved in basketball games and skills practice isn’t just about moving for that hour, it promotes an active lifestyle overall. When kids are introduced to physical activity in a fun fashion, they’re much more likely to carry the importance of exercise with them throughout their lives.
Basketball can easily turn into a lifelong sport with all-age leagues, too, giving your child the ability to get active with the same great game for as long as they’d like.
Plenty of Skills Come Into Play
Along with a healthy lifestyle, basketball helps young kids work on tons of skills they’re already trying to master on their own.
Playing basketball helps promote:
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Hand-eye coordination
Endurance
Flexibility
Balance
Focus
Problem solving
So, why is basketball better than other forms of physical play? All movement is excellent, but this sport stands out due to its ability to engage all of the major muscle groups in the body. Imagine the arm strength and coordination that’s improved by passing and shooting the ball, the leg muscles that grow and gain direction with every defensive stance, and the cardiovascular system that’s greatly benefited by every quick step down the court.
The Sport is All About Having Fun
Kids need to have fun, and basketball is a perfect way to let them do just that. Especially in the younger years, this sport is all about playing games, practicing enjoyable skills, and spending time with great coaches and friends. It’s the perfect outlet for little ones to go out and do the things they love while gaining some awesome benefits along the way.
No matter how old your little one is, basketball is sure to benefit them in one way or another. If your child is showing any interest at all in participating, be sure to take their lead and allow them to experience all the good that can come from this super fun sport.
At Little Hoopers, we’re happy to help get your child into the sport they’ll soon love — and grow from, too. Feel free to contact us at any time to secure their place in the program.
