Monthly Archives: October 2023

Toys and Play: 6- to 8-Year-Olds

Child Development and Parenting

You can download this article as a PDF (English, Spanish)

Children play from the moment they are born. Play is how they learn about themselves and their world. It is how they develop and practice the physical, thinking and social skills needed in life. These tips will help you choose toys and play activities for your child based on their age or stage of development. Think about sharing them with your child’s other caregivers, too.

6- to 8-year-olds:

• Enjoy large-muscle activities like jump rope, bike riding, roller blading, ball games and hopscotch
• Also enjoy fine motor activities like drawing, braiding, cutting, jigsaw puzzles, weaving, wood work and simple sewing
• Make use of reading, writing and simple math in games and toys
• Enjoy nature and simple science
• Have an increased interest in friendship and belonging
• Prefer to play with same-sex friends
• Like riddles, jokes and using secret codes
• Play well with others and want to play fair
• Do not like to lose and may cheat to win
• May collect things (cards, dolls, etc. )
• Like dramatic play and putting on shows
• May be ready for athletic and team sports
• May want to start lessons in music, dance, drawing or crafts

Toys and activities

Active

• Two-wheeled bike
• Skate board and scooter
• Jump rope
• Complex gym sets with rings, bars, swings, ropes and slides
• Sports gear and balls
• Ski, snowboard, sled and hockey gear (with adult supervision)
• Roller blades and ice skates
• Horseshoes, croquet and badminton
• Ping-pong and foosball (from age 8)
• Sand and water play toys

Construction

• Large sets of blocks or bricks
• Complex construction sets made of wood, plastic or metal
• Sets with motorized parts and complex gear systems

Transportation

• Small cars and trucks and collectibles
• Large-scale realistic cars and trucks with working parts
• Train sets (electric sets at 8 years)
• Simple remote-control cars

Make believe

• Dolls with many accessories, house and equipment
• Collector dolls, paper dolls and action figures
• Stuffed animals
• Puppets and theater
• Dress-up clothes and make-up
• Magic and disguise kits
• Props for dramatic play (store, school, library, office, space)
• Cooking and sewing equipment that works

Learning and games

• Simple strategy and rule games
• Word, match, and spelling games
• Puzzles
• Balance and scales
• Mechanical models with pulleys, levers and pendulums
• Models: human body, physical world, space and moon
• Science and weather kits
• Microscope, telescope and binoculars
• Protractor and calculator
• Apps, computer or hand-held games for teaching math, drawing/graphics, story writing and music writing
• Video games (check for age level)
• Books

Arts, crafts and music

• Crayons, paint, markers, pencils, stencils, pastels and chalk
• Sketch pads, art paper and coloring books
• Scissors
• Clay, plaster of Paris and papier-mache
• Looms and knitting spool
• Beading, mosaic tiles, leatherwork, sewing kits, weaving and jewelry making
• More complex woodworking tools (with adult supervision)
• Photography
• Model airplanes and cars
• Rhythm instruments
• Music, dance and gymnastic lessons (age 7 or 8)
• Device for listening to music

Safety

Choose toys that meet these safety guidelines for this age:

• Non-toxic materials
• No sharp points or edges
• No electrical parts without adult supervision
• Always use the right safety gear with activities, such as helmets, knee and elbow pads and life jackets.

Learn more about toy safety and get tips for choosing toys and play activities for children of other ages.

Toys and Play: 3- to 5-Year-Olds

Child Development and Parenting

You can download this article as a PDF (English, Spanish)

Children play from the moment they are born. Play is how they learn about themselves and their world. It is how they develop and practice the physical, thinking and social skills needed in life. These tips will help you choose toys and play activities for your child based on their age or stage of development. Think about sharing them with your child’s other caregivers, too.

3- to 5-year-olds:

• Like to run, jump, climb and balance
• Act out adult jobs with costumes and props
• Begin to share and take turns
• Hate to lose and are not ready for competitive play
• Enjoy simple number and letter activities
• Have more interest in group pretend play
• Like nature, science, time and learning how things work
• Begin to make plans for their play (by about 4 years)
• Can begin to connect pieces in a pattern to make simple models

Toys and activities

Active

• Push and pull toys, like wagons and strollers
• Toys that mimic adult tools, like a vacuum, shopping cart and small wheelbarrow
• Rocking horse
• Tricycle with helmet
• Jump rope (from 5 years)
• Small bike with training wheels, footbrakes and a helmet (from 5 years)
• Balls
• Lightweight, soft baseball and bat
• Lightweight frisbee
• Sand and water play toys

Puzzles

• Up to 20 pieces (from 3 years)
• 20 to 30 pieces (from 4 years)
• Up to 50 pieces (from 5 years)

Construction

• Large and small wood blocks
• Most types of interlocking building systems with pieces of all sizes (like Lego)

Transportation

• Large-scale trucks that dump and dig
• Car sets and cars of all sizes
• Trains with tracks (non-electric)

Make believe

• Dolls with hair and eyes and limbs that move
• Simple-to-use doll clothes and doll house
• Stuffed animals with accessories and simple clothes
• Puppets and theater
• Dress-up clothes and costumes
• Housekeeping and cooking gear
• Toy phone, camera and cash register
• Doctor kit
• Play sets (garage, farm, airport)

Learning toys and games

• Simple board games based on chance, not strategy
• Dominoes (color or number)
• Picture bingo or matching games
• Simple apps or hand-held games for teaching matching, sorting, shapes, colors, numbers and letters
• Science models (check for age level)
• Magnets, flashlight, magnifying glass, clock, prism and terrarium
• Simple calculator
• Books
• Toys that teach how to button, snap and hook
• Nesting toys

Arts, crafts and musical toys

• Crayons, markers and chalk
• Play-Doh
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Paste, glue or glue stick
• Stickers
• Finger and tempera paint, easel and brushes
• Jumbo lacing beads
• Frames and cards to button, hook and lace
• Simple sewing kit with plastic needles
• Felt board
• Work bench, hammer and nails (with adult supervision)
• Rhythm instruments
• Harmonica, horn, whistles and recorder

Safety

Choose toys that meet these safety guidelines for this age:

• Non-toxic materials
• No sharp points or edges
• Non-breakable
• No parts that could trap fingers, toes or hands
• No electrical parts
• No glass or brittle plastic
• No exposed pins, sharp wires or nails
• Don’t allow children to play with toys that have miniature disk or “button” batteries that can be removed easily

Learn more about toy safety and get tips for choosing toys and play activities for children of other ages.

Kinds of sports for children – what kind of sport to give the child to

Every year new sports sections are opened in Russia, where numerous kinds of sports for children are presented and this is no coincidence. According to statistics, every fourth child in our country by the age of 10 tends to develop chronic diseases against the backdrop of an unhealthy lifestyle.

To avoid diseases such as obesity, diabetes and spinal diseases, doctors recommend involving children in sports from an early age. It can be family trips, active games, field trips or regular visits to sports sections.

What kind of sport to send the child to

Thinking about what sport to send the child to, few parents are aware that this choice should take into account not only the age of the baby, but also his individual characteristics. Often, having given a child to a sports section, parents later regret their choice, because the child simply refuses to study and does not want to attend a sports club.

To prevent this from happening, you need to choose a sport for a child in accordance with the temperament of the baby:

• Sanguine. These kids love to be leaders. They need praise and victory. Such children are best suited for active sports. Any speed-strength disciplines can be an excellent choice;
• Cholerics. These kids are emotional and also ready to work in a team. They will be comfortable with cyclic sports or martial arts;
• Phlegmatic. Toddlers with this character do an excellent job with multiple repetitions of one action. This means that the best choice for them will be cyclic or complex-coordinating disciplines;
• Melancholy. For them, the severity of the coach and Spartan conditions are unacceptable. With the right approach, such kids can show success in fencing or shooting. Intellectual pursuits can also be an excellent choice for them.

To determine which section is right for your child, you can take a specialized test. Testing will help determine goals and objectives, find out what character the baby has and choose for him exactly the circle in which he will feel comfortable.

Important! Before enrolling in a section, you need to get advice from the local pediatrician. Some disciplines have absolute contraindications. In addition, you will have to pass tests and undergo examinations by narrow specialists.

Sports for preschoolers

Sports for young children are activities that develop basic physical skills and strengthen the immune system. Don’t expect a two-year-old to become a champion right away.

Sports for preschool children are necessary for the overall development and preparation of the child for more serious activities. Doctors consider 4-5 years old to be the ideal age to start classes. But if the baby is active and healthy, classes in certain disciplines can be started as early as two years old.

Most parents believe that at this age it is too early to attend sports sections, and the only option for physical training is swimming in the pool. But this is absolutely not true. Today, many circles invite kids of very young age, where specially trained trainers work with them.

Sports for children from 2 years old

From the age of two, babies need more physical activity. They run, jump, somersault and fall everywhere. And so that their pranks do not turn into serious injuries, parents should think about structured physical activity.

Adequate physical activity at this age – classes at least 2 times a week for 30 minutes. With age, the number of hours of classes gradually increases and by the age of 5 it can be 2 hours 3 times a week.

Training for the little ones is not full-fledged training with competitions and victories. At this time, training is based on the principle of the game. The kid will run, jump, have fun, learn the simplest exercises and perform elementary tasks.

Ideal sports for children aged 2+:

• Swimming;
• Dancing;
• Gymnastics;
• balance bike;
• Children’s yoga;
• Trampolining.

At this age, it is still very difficult for a baby to remain without a mother or father, so it is absolutely impossible to leave him alone among people he does not know, you will have to work with him. Moreover, you will have to perform all the exercises with the baby, because he will repeat exactly for you.

At the age of 3-4, the baby can already perform more complex exercises and understand the requirements of the trainer. It is this age that is considered optimal for starting classes.

The following sections are already available at this time:

• Skis;
• Martial arts;
• Tennis or table tennis;
• Golf;
• Roller skates;
• Figure skating.

If you are afraid to send your baby to these sections at such a young age, pay attention to developing centers with a sports bias. In such centers, general developmental classes include physical education lessons, where trainers teach the smallest physical exercises in a playful way.

Reference: From the age of two, babies experience an active leap in growth and development. Optimal loads will help to properly form muscle mass and the musculoskeletal system, which will further protect them from health problems.

What kind of sport to give a child 5 – 6 years old

Children who have reached the age of five are already absolutely ready for classes in the sports section. This is exactly the age when a young athlete begins to understand the meaning of a team game, adequately perceive criticism from the coach and fulfill his requirements.

If you are wondering what kind of sport to give your child 5-6 years old, team sports can be an excellent choice, these include:

• Football;
• Hockey;
• Water polo;
• Golf;
• Rugby;
• Tennis;
• Volleyball;
• Basketball;
• Badminton;
• Handball etc.

At preschool age, training should be moderate. A growing body can react negatively to increased stress, and then instead of benefiting, classes will only bring health problems. If, while watching a preschooler, you notice that he began to sleep poorly, is often naughty and gets tired quickly, talk to the trainer about reducing the load or change the section.

Reference: According to statistics, children who study in sections from the age of 5 have strong immunity, are more diligent in the classroom, are disciplined and learn the school curriculum better in the lower grades. In high school, they also excel academically and are less likely to be influenced by bad company.

Sports for children of school age

School age is the time to learn about sports. In many schools, sections are open where children can study with classmates. Also for children there are circles in the homes of schoolchildren, where classes are held completely free of charge. In addition, students can go to the section from specialized sports schools, where they prepare for admission to sports boarding schools.

The choice of sports for school children is really great. Already in the first grade, children can practice at a professional level, preparing for a sports career. Thanks to the national program “Sport is the norm of life”, dozens of sports facilities are planned to be built throughout the country to attract schoolchildren to a healthy lifestyle until 2024.

Sports for children aged 7-10

Primary school is a period of serious restructuring in the rhythm of life. Often, children in the first years of schooling suffer from overwork and distracted attention. These problems can be easily solved with physical activity. Regular classes increase endurance and performance, contribute to the assimilation of the curriculum and help the student to develop comprehensively.

Sports for children 7-10 years old – these are almost all sections, with the exception of extreme ones with a high risk of injury. The choice of a section depends on many factors, but the main thing here should be the desire of the child himself, because at this age he can already choose what he likes.

Remarkably, modern children often choose sections that are completely incomprehensible to their parents. For example, girls might decide to go into boxing and boys into weightlifting. But parents do not need to be afraid of such a choice, because history knows many champions who went to the section against the wishes of their parents.

The best choice at this age will be team sports, because the student already understands what a team is and can fully participate in the life of the team.

The most popular clubs at this age:

• For girls – gymnastics, dancing, athletics, figure skating, synchronized swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, etc.;
• For boys – football, tennis, basketball, martial arts, hockey, weightlifting, pentathlon, etc.

Whatever sport your child chooses, you should not expect great victories and achievements at this age. At the age of 7-10, children only learn to work in a team and learn the basics of sports discipline. At this stage, it is important that the child likes the classes, and he goes to the section with pleasure.

It is important for parents to understand that a young athlete can change their mind at any time and decide to pursue another discipline. In this case, it is not necessary to force him to attend the section, it is necessary to support him and show that he has the right to independently decide what kind of sport he should do. If your child has a hard time exercising, consider mind sports such as chess, checkers, or go.

Important! At this age, it is necessary to choose not so much a section as a coach. Only a qualified and experienced children’s coach will be able not only to interest the student, but also to ensure the correct individual training schedule.

Sports for children aged 11-13

From the age of 11, today’s children already consider themselves adults. Many of them choose street sports as their hobby, where they can show their talents.

Outdoor sports for children aged 11-13, these are:

• Breaking;
• Parkour;
• Skateboarding;
• BMX.

In addition, teenagers often choose diving, skydiving, rock climbing, kitesurfing and so on. If your child is already engaged in the sports section, but at this age he decided to change his occupation, do not interfere with him, because modern sports are a great opportunity to learn something new and realize himself, which means that he will be engaged with enthusiasm and pleasure.

Considering unusual sports, you can also offer a teenager such sections as gorodki, lapta or food running, which originated more than 200 years ago and are now gaining their popularity again in Russia.

Parents should know that it is at the age of 11-13 that coaches look at young athletes and choose the most promising ones to attract them to professional sports.

If you have been offered a transfer to a sports school, you need to weigh the pros and cons, because a sports career is often accompanied by injuries and numerous restrictions. But if you see that a teenager wants and can be a professional in his sport, feel free to trust the coach, because in a few years your child may well become an Olympic champion.

Important! When enrolling a teenager in a sports school or a section for professional activities, you must take out sports insurance. Insurance will allow you to receive compensation for injuries in training and competitions. Also, without a policy, athletes are not allowed to compete.

Sport in Russia, as well as a healthy lifestyle in general, is becoming fashionable. More than 80% of Russians under the age of 30 regularly visit gyms and playgrounds, go on outdoor activities and teach children to play sports. Thanks to state support, sports for children are numerous, varied, and most importantly accessible.

One of the priority tasks of the federal project “Sport is the norm of life” is the preparation of a sports reserve, which means that every child involved in sports will be able to practice at the best sports facilities that are already being built throughout the country.

Which section to send the boy to: the best sports for future champions

Many factors influence the health of a child. It is important and proper nutrition, and thoughtful daily routine, and regular walks in the fresh air. One of the most important components can be called physical activity, movement and sports. The choice of sport must be approached responsibly so that the child receives the maximum benefit. Which section to send the boy to, how not to make a mistake and make the right decision? Let’s analyze this question in more detail.

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Content:

• Choosing a sports section: what to consider
  • Body type of a boy
  • Temperament
• What changes await the child
• Which section to send the boy to
  • Figure skating
  • Tennis
  • Swimming
  • Hockey
  • Oriental martial arts
  • Dancing
  • Kickboxing
  • Capoeira
  • Acrobatics
  • Equestrian
• Advice for parents of boys

Choosing a sports section: what to consider

Parents often choose activities for their child based on cost and proximity to home. This is the wrong approach. To achieve a good result, it is necessary to take into account the type of physique of the boy, his interests and desires, features of character and temperament, his health. It would be nice to ask for advice from a pediatrician who will talk about possible contraindications.

Physique of a boy

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In medicine, the Stefko and Ostrovsky scheme is used to describe the main types of body structure. For each of them, you can choose the best sport.

Asthenoid type

Children belonging to it are thin, their muscles are poorly developed. Such a child has a narrow chest and shoulder girdle, thin and long legs. Often you can notice a pronounced stoop, and the shoulder blades protrude outward. The main criterion for such children is psychological comfort, so it is important to pay attention to the selection of a suitable team. Of the sports, volleyball, skiing, fencing, gymnastics, cycling are perfect.

Thoracic type

The physique is harmonious, the shoulders and hips are of equal width, the muscles are of average development, the chest is wide. Such boys are quite active, it will be useful for them to develop endurance, and from sports those where speed is important are suitable. Football, figure skating, capoeira, karting, kayaking – all this will bring maximum benefit.

Muscular type

It is characterized by a wide bone and developed muscles. Children of this type are hardy and distinguished by physical strength. They will show themselves well in wrestling, hockey, mountaineering. Suitable for weightlifting, powerlifting.

Digestive type

Guys of this body type are usually short, have a fairly wide chest and fat deposits. They do not show much activity, are inactive and rather clumsy. For such boys, it is better to choose a shooting or martial arts section. A good choice would be hockey, weightlifting, workout.

Temperament

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Achieving success in sports depends not only on the physique, but also on the character of the child. When choosing classes, temperament must be taken into account. Four types are known:

1. Sanguine people are born leaders. They are fearless, like to take risks, so they must be given the opportunity to show their strength and superiority. Mountaineering, martial arts, rafting, hang gliding are suitable for this.
2. Cholerics are distinguished by increased emotionality. They worry not only for themselves, but also for their comrades, they are able to rejoice in someone else’s victory as their own. Therefore, it is ideal for such guys to select team sports.
3. Phlegmatic people are stubborn, persistent in achieving goals and calm. They endure repetitive actions in training without irritation, therefore they are able to achieve good results in chess, gymnastics, and figure skating.
4. Melancholic is characterized by sensitivity and vulnerability. They are easy to offend, and a strict coach can deprive such children of the desire to study. Such children can succeed in equestrian sports, shooting, dancing.

When choosing a sports section for a boy, also consider the distance from home and other safety parameters. In order not to worry about the child when he goes alone to his destination, and to be able to contact him at any moment, install the application “Where are my children” or buy a children’s smart watch for the athlete!

What changes await the child

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Sport is not only good for physical health. In addition to increasing endurance, increasing strength and other indicators, the boy’s personal qualities also change, which are influenced by various sports:

1. Martial arts help develop patience, learn restraint. The child will be able to choose the right tactics of behavior in different situations and learn to think logically. In addition, the reaction improves, self-confidence and flexibility appear.
2. Team games will teach you how to work together and help develop communication skills. They will be especially useful for a shy child who cannot easily find friends.
3. Creative sports , such as dance or rhythmic gymnastics, will influence the development of artistry, sharpen the sense of rhythm. The body of the child will become more flexible and plastic.
4. Winter sports activities will teach your child to reach their goal, despite the difficulties. They build character and form leadership qualities.

In addition to these qualities, the boy will become more disciplined, learn self-giving and concentration.

Which section to send the boy to

When deciding which section to send the child to, you need to start from his age and physiology. For example, strong loads on the musculoskeletal system for babies under 5 years old are unacceptable. For the first five years of life, a child’s bones are actively formed, and increased training will only harm them. But flexibility can be developed from an early age.

Which sports are preferable at what age:

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Consider the advantages and disadvantages of different sports. This information is necessary to make an informed decision.

Figure skating

This is a speed skating sport related to complex coordination sports.

Benefits:

1. Improves coordination of movements, develops an eye, flexibility appears.
2. The load is distributed over all muscle groups.
3. Immunity is strengthened, the child becomes more resilient and efficient.
4. Useful for cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Faults:

1. Potential for injury.
2. It’s hard to get to classes with a good coach.
3. Considerable financial costs are required.

Contraindications:

1. Flat feet.
2. Neurological problems.
3. Poor eyesight.
4. Diseases of the lungs.
5. Problems with the vestibular apparatus.

Tennis

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This is a sport played against two players or two teams, each with two members. A tennis player using rackets sends the ball to the side of the opponent, his goal is to prevent the opponent from reflecting the ball on his playing field.

Benefits:

1. Positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
2. Coordination develops, reaction and endurance improve.
3. Low risk of injury.
4. The child learns to choose tactics and strategy.

Drawbacks:

1. Classes can be quite expensive.
2. If the load is distributed incorrectly, there is a risk of developing scoliosis.

Contraindications:

1. Peptic ulcer.
2. Vision problems.
3. Disorders in the work of the musculoskeletal system.

Swimming

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A sport whose essence is to overcome different distances by swimming in the shortest time.

Benefits:

1. Immunity is strengthened.
2. Good rehabilitation for children who have undergone surgery or trauma.
3. Classes prevent spine diseases and colds.
4. Swimming is good for blood circulation.

Disadvantages:

1. Chlorinated water may cause allergic reactions and chronic rhinitis.
2. After the start of systematic studies, colds are likely.

Contraindications:

1. Exacerbation of any chronic disease.
2. Heart disease.
3. Viral diseases.
4. Skin diseases.
5. Kidney problems.
6. Convulsions.

Hockey

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Team sports played with sticks and a ball (or puck) on ice or grass.

Benefits:

1. A sense of balance appears, endurance and coordination are actively developed.
2. Significantly strengthens the immune system and the musculoskeletal system.
3. Positive effect on the nervous system.
4. Education of responsibility, ability to organize oneself, discipline.

Disadvantages:

1. High risk of injury.
2. Good equipment costs a lot of money.

Contraindications:

1. Vision problems.
2. Flat feet.
3. Asthma.
4. Various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
5. Heart disease.

Martial arts

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They are conditionally divided into three groups: Chinese, Japanese and Thai types of martial arts. Chinese martial arts are for the most part self-defense, and the main strategy is to use the opponent’s strength against himself. The most famous are wushu (kungfu), tui shou, sanda.

Japanese martial arts are characterized by the use of throwing techniques and force on the joints. The most famous: jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, aikido.

Thai boxing involves the use of powerful combat blows, so it is recommended to start practicing this sport no earlier than 12 years old.

Benefits:

1. Ability to protect yourself.
2. Active work on oneself, the ability to cope with fears and complexes.
3. Education of courage.
4. Harmonious physical development.

Disadvantages:

1. Success in mastering martial arts depends entirely on the coach, so it is very important and difficult to find a good mentor. It is necessary that the child does not become pugnacious, but learn the basics of Eastern philosophy, on which martial arts are based.
2. There is a small risk of injury.

Contraindications:

1. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
2. Vision problems.
3. Diseases of the kidneys.
4. Diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Dances

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There are several types of dances: Latin American (rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha), European – classical dances (tango, waltzes and others), modern (RnB, Hip-Hop, Jazz).

Benefits:

1. Development of flexibility and agility, the body becomes more plastic.
2. Useful for motor coordination.
3. Good taste is formed.
4. Excellent prevention of colds.
5. Development of the respiratory system.

Disadvantages:

1. Large financial investment required.
2. There is a risk of injury.
3. There is a lot of competition in this sport, negative experiences are possible.
4. Dancing involves a strong load on the heart.

Contraindications:

1. Flat feet.
2. Problems of the cardiovascular system.
3. Vertebral hernias.

Kickboxing

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This is a contact form of martial arts in which both punches and kicks are allowed.

Benefits:

1. Muscles develop actively.
2. The child gets rid of fears, complexes, stress and various negative emotions.
3. Positive influence on the development of coordination, reaction and posture.
4. Excellent power load.

Disadvantages:

1. High injury rate of competitions, especially in directions.
2. Undeveloped organizational issues (training programs are not well thought out and there are no clear rules for conducting fights).

Contraindications:

1. Any chronic disease in the acute stage.
2. Problems with joints or spine.

Capoeira

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Brazilian national martial art, in which elements of dance, acrobatics, and games have found their place.

Benefits:

1. Muscles develop actively.
2. The child gets rid of fears, complexes, stress and various negative emotions.
3. Positive influence on the development of coordination, reaction and posture.
4. Excellent power load.

Disadvantages:

There is only one main disadvantage – it is not easy to find a good professional coach. This sport is not yet very popular, so there are few good mentors.

Contraindications:

1. Trauma.
2. Problems of the cardiovascular system.

Acrobatics

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One of the types of gymnastics, which includes exercises for agility, flexibility, jumping, strength, and balance.

Benefits:

1. Acrobatics are good for using up excess energy.
2. Improves metabolism.
3. Positive influence on the child’s psyche and mental activity.
4. Uniform load on all muscle groups.

Weaknesses:

The main disadvantage is that it is easy to get injured. Most often these are sprains and various bruises.

Contraindications:

1. Epilepsy.
2. Problems with the heart and blood vessels.
3. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
4. Myopia.
5. Curvature of the spine.

Equestrian

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Involves competition, sports and exercise involving horseback riding.

Benefits:

1. Regular contact with an animal has a positive effect on the mental state.
2. Good relaxation.
3. Development of a sense of balance, muscles, coordination.

Disadvantages:

The only drawback is that such a sport is not always available. There may not be a stable nearby, and the classes themselves will require significant financial costs.

Contraindications:

1. Heart problems.
2. Risk of thrombosis.

Tips for parents of boys

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Sports have an invaluable impact not only on the body of the child, but also on his mental state. A powerful educational effect cannot be discounted, because leadership qualities, the ability to self-discipline, and responsibility are especially important for a boy.

The choice of a sports section should be influenced by the child’s hobbies, but the parents have the last word. It is necessary to pay attention to the development of the boy, his character.

You can start playing sports at an early age. Any physical activity is interesting for both kids and older children. An important point – you can not force the child. The task of parents is to stimulate the appearance of the boy’s interest.