Team sports can help build a child’s self-esteem
Team sports offemultiple pluses
If you want your child to be an individual, have her join a team. Experts say team sports help build identity, confidence and social skills in children. They can also help teach kids important concepts such as winning, losing and hard work.

Equally important, however, is the fact that team sports can help start children on a lifelong road of fitness, a road that is becoming increasingly less traveled. According to a U.S. Surgeon General’s report, half of all kids between 12 and 21 are not physically active on a regular basis.

Keep these tips in mind when considering a team sport for your child.

Joining a Team Before your child takes the field, bring her to the doctor for a physical. Also, if she is a bit of a couch potato or lacks physical conditioning, let her coach know.

Bring your child to different sporting events and let her decide which activities she’s most interested in. Remember, there are plenty of other sports out there besides soccer, baseball and basketball. Kids may enjoy tennis, swimming, lacrosse or track and field, to name a few. The key is that the sports seem fun.

Dealing with Nerves If your child is nervous about joining a team, talk to the coach.

See if you and your youngster can attend a few practices so she can get a feel for what the team does.

Ask if your child can participate in a few practice activities before she fully commits. That could help ease her worried mind (and yours).

Building a Team Once your child is on a team, encourage her to become friends with her teammates. Host a night where you invite her teammates over for munchies and movies.Have the kids help you bake cookies. For a topical touch, try to rent a an age-appropriate movie about sports, teamwork and cooperation.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.