Find out what kind of winter sports will be the most beneficial and safe for your child. Children love winter, despite the cold, because at this time of the year you can go sledding, skiing, ice skating, playing hockey, etc. One of the favorite children's fun is playing snowballs, as well as creating snowmen. It is quite obvious that parents are interested in what winter sports will be most useful for children, because everyone wants their offspring to be not only happy, but also healthy.
If a child is engaged in the winter sport that he likes, then he trains his body and heals the body. By and large, all winter sports are beneficial for children. Thanks to these activities, children are hardened and less prone to colds and infectious diseases. Do not forget about the joy that winter sports for children bring.
It's great if parents not only support their child in sports, but also actively participate in them. It's nice to see when the whole family is on the piste or visiting the skating rink on a weekend. Moreover, children can engage in most winter sports disciplines from an early age. For example, you can safely buy the first skis for your offspring as early as three years old. As a result, your little one will enjoy and improve the functioning of the heart muscle.
Girls prefer figure skating. And the boys most often choose hockey. However, the city skating rink is visited by all children and it is desirable that their parents keep them company. Children begin to get involved in luge sports from the age of five. It is a wonderful and exciting sport that can bring a lot of joy and health benefits.
Benefits of winter sports for children and age restrictions
Children should play sports at any time of the year. They are full of energy that must be expended. Unlike most adults, for children, the weather is not a serious limitation on their physical activity. Let's take a look at the positive aspects of winter sports.
First of all, this is the possibility of simultaneous training and hardening. Since in winter children go in for sports in the open air at negative temperatures, this helps to strengthen the immune system. It is even better when the child is outside the city limits, for example, on a ski track. The air of the coniferous forest is especially useful for the body.
Conifers of trees emit special volatile substances - phytoncides, which destroy a large number of various pathogens. Do not forget that physical activity in the fresh air improves the performance of the brain, since it does not lack oxygen. All winter sports for children contribute to hardening, strengthening muscles, enhancing the efficiency of the body's defense mechanisms. And also cause accelerated production of endorphins.
It is quite obvious that there are some age restrictions when playing sports in winter. Parents should have an idea of the development of the nervous and vascular systems, ligamentous-articular apparatus, muscles, etc. Whatever sport your little one decides to play, it is imperative to choose the right equipment and reduce the risk of injury to a minimum.
If a child wants to go in for downhill skiing or any other sport, then it is worth finding a good instructor. You should also remember the importance of various protective equipment, for example, glasses equipped with an ultraviolet filter or ointments to protect against frostbite. In addition, we recommend that you give a certain freedom to the child to form strong personal qualities, however, this business should not be left to chance either, because no one needs injuries.
The best winter sports for kids
Probably speaking about which winter sports are the best for children will not be entirely correct. We have already said that any sports discipline will benefit and the child only needs to choose the most interesting for him. Most winter species are considered extreme, as the risk of injury can be quite high. The exception to this rule is, perhaps, skis, sledges and skates. However, here, too, no one is immune from injury. There are several types of skiing such as nordic combined, alpine skiing, orienteering, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, etc. Some of them you can organize yourself in the forest closest to your city. Many children are attracted to skiing, which can also be divided into several types:
- Skiboarding is a short distance downhill skiing and is perfect for beginners.
- Ski tour - a collective ascent to the slopes of the mountains.
- Snowboarding is a descent from a mountain on a board and lately this sports discipline is very popular among children.
- Twintip - descent from the mountains at maximum speed.
- Backcountry - ascent to an unknown slope and subsequent descent.
- Ski mountaineering is a descent from the mountains without a paved track and for children it is not the most desirable sport discipline.
Let's take a closer look at some of the skiing activities as well as other disciplines that are great for a child.
skiing
Children of both sexes can start skiing at the age of five. This sports discipline will allow the child to develop self-confidence, learn to correctly perceive not only victories, but also defeats. Medical professionals are confident that skiing is good for the child, as it strengthens the immune system and strengthens all the muscles in the body.
Thanks to skiing, your little one will develop harmoniously both from a physical point of view, and from a psychological point of view. However, in no case should you force your child to ski, and he must make this decision on his own.
Snowboarding
This is a very exciting sport that children can start practicing from the age of seven. If you want to send the baby to the section earlier, then his leg muscles must be well developed. However, we still recommend that you wait until he reaches the required age.
Since, while on a snowboard, it is necessary to maintain balance, the legs are actively working. Snowboarding will help your child develop self-confidence and learn to communicate. Since this is a rather traumatic sport, it is best to practice it under the guidance of an experienced coach. Contraindications to snowboarding are asthma and fragile bones.
Luge
One of the favorite children's entertainments, without a doubt, is a quick descent from the mountain in a sleigh. A child can start playing luge sports from the age of four. Of course, we are not talking about professional training in such a situation. Note that there are several types of tobogganing: skeleton, naturban and bobsleigh.
Hockey
It is difficult to find a man who, as a child, did not spend a lot of time on the street playing hockey. Any skating rink is suitable for practicing this sport, and the first equipment you need is a hockey stick. If you decide to send your offspring to the professional section, you will have to buy various shields with a helmet. However, believe me, the child will be happy.
One should start practicing in the hockey section from the age of nine, but already from four he can be taught to skate and put a stick in his hands. Like any other team sport, hockey involves a child's ability to communicate and play as a team. You should not send your baby to the hockey section if he has problems with the work of the heart, vascular system and musculoskeletal system.
Figure skating
If boys play hockey, then figure skating is perfect for girls. However, boys can also choose this winter sport for children. You can learn to stand on skates from an early age, and girls can go to the figure skating section from the age of six, and boys should wait a year or two.
Since skates for figure skating are different from hockey or speed skating, you can start learning to skate earlier. By the way, the main difference between skates is more reliable ankle protection and moreover, they are more stable.
Skating
Girls can start speed skating at the age of five, and boys at seven. Of course, this only applies to professional speed skating. If desired, the child can be taught to skate at the age of three.
Interesting historical facts about winter sports
Throughout the history of the existence of winter sports disciplines, a lot of interesting facts have accumulated regarding places, personalities and competitions. The popularity of skiing is evidenced by the fact that there is a track for practicing even in the United Arab Emirates. During its construction, about six tons of snow were consumed.
The most traumatic winter sport is hockey. For example, Eddie Shaw received five fractures of his jaw and 14 nose for over thirty years spent in this sports discipline. The number of scars on his body is difficult to count, and in addition to this, the hockey player was left without teeth. In 1999, the speed record in snowboarding was set. It happened in France, and the snowboarder's speed reached 2020 kilometers per hour. The first skates appeared several centuries ago. Already during the reign of Peter the Great, there were prototypes of modern skates. They were planks to which a metal blade was attached.
The first speed skating tournament was held in England, and this event took place in 1763. It is likely that competitions in this sport could have been held earlier, however, references to this event have been preserved in historical documents.
For safety rules during winter sports, see here:
