Soccer offers children of all ages an opportunity to get out and enjoy fresh air, become more active, and learn a variety of skills. With over 4 million children in the U.S. under the age of 12 playing soccer, it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular youth sports in the country. In fact, soccer is a great all-around sport for young minds and bodies. Here’s why your kids should start getting involved as early as possible.
3 Reasons Why Young Kids Should Start Playing Soccer Early
1. Playing Soccer Helps Boosts Healthy Physical and Mental Development
Growing research suggests how important sports are for the healthy physical and mental development of kids. Soccer is a team sport that fosters a need for cooperation and social behavior. Kids have to learn to work together under pressure and communicate quickly to accomplish a common goal. In fact, the physical benefits of soccer on young and developing bodies are likely obvious as well. Not to mention, any sport that gets kids running and performing other athletic tasks will benefit them in the long run.
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- Fun Ways To Get Girls Interested In Soccer
- Why Soccer is an Ideal Sport for Kids with Autism
2. Youth Soccer Teams Build Basic Strategy & Community
There is also a level of basic strategy involved when playing a game of soccer. Not only do players have to cooperate with each other, but they also need to formulate and execute a plan or change it on the go. Just like any other team sport, soccer fosters a sense of community among children that they may or may not be able to find at school or home. After all, socialization is very important at a young age, and soccer provides that for many kids.
3. Playing Soccer Will Encourage & Strengthen Physical Fitness
Soccer can foster a greater degree of hand-eye or foot-eye coordination than many other sports as well as build stamina. Running at that age is also one of the best things for a kid’s body as it grows. Everything, from learning to dribble and kick the ball to cooperating and executing strategies with the rest of their team, builds confidence in the kids involved, which they can and will carry for the rest of their lives.
For all these reasons and more, soccer is an excellent sport to get kids invested in. Not only will soccer help them grow as confident individuals but it will also teach them the importance of fitness at a young age.