The majority of people don't know much about the sport of badminton. Unless you're a diehard badminton fanatic, you may know little more than the fact that it's a racket sport like tennis or racketball and that it involves players using their racquets to hit something called a “shuttlecock”. If anything, we don't think of it as a particularly intense sport. Badminton is in fact one of the most demanding, high-energy sports out there. While it may sound like an unusual choice, enrolling your child in badminton lessons could be an extremely fruitful endeavor. Read on to discover more about how badminton lessons can elevate your child’s life!
The Benefits of Badminton
Badminton provides a full body workout that focuses especially on the glutes, calves, quads, core muscles, and shoulders. It is also a great source of cardiovascular fitness, as it is an incredibly fast-paced, energy-demanding sport. The focus of badminton is on quick movements and reaction times, which will strengthen your child's fast twitch muscle fibers and motor planning skills. The physical demands of badminton also do a great deal to improve your child's hand-eye coordination.
The benefits of badminton go beyond the physical to include a myriad of boosts to your child’s cognitive and social development. As mentioned before, badminton requires quick thinking and quick action, which improves your child's ability to process sensory information and act on it. Badminton can be played one-on-one, or in doubles. It is a social sport that emphasizes fair play and sportsmanship. Understanding the importance of these concepts will help your child to build meaningful relationships later in life.
Why is Badminton Such a Great Sport for Kids?
Badminton is an excellent sport for kids because it is so accessible. It can be played with or without a net, so it's a great option for picnics and beach days. All you need to play badminton is a pair of rackets and a shuttlecock. The equipment is minimal, and the startup costs are almost negligible. If you want to give the sport a try but aren't sure if your kids will love it yet, try picking up an inexpensive toy badminton set from your local mega-mart. Badminton also carries with it a relatively low risk of injury. It involves no body-to-body contact, and minor strains and sprains can be prevented with good technique and a thorough warm-up.
How to Help Your Child Succeed at Badminton Classes
If you've all but decided by now to sign your child up for badminton lessons, keep these important tips in mind to maximize the benefits of badminton for your child.
1. Emphasize the Importance of Warming Up (and cooling down)!
A proper warmup is essential before any physical activity to prevent injury. This is especially true in the case of badminton. The quick movements your child will be expected to perform can cause strains and sprains if the muscles are not properly prepared to execute them. Additionally, it is important to stretch after physical activity to promote range of motion as well as strength.
2. Help Them Learn The Rules
One of the most difficult parts of becoming proficient in a new sport or activity is learning the rules of the game. If your child doesn't understand what's going on while they're playing, they are unlikely to improve their skills or have any fun! prepare them for their first badminton lesson by teaching them the rules of the game. Make it fun by having a practice game, or quizzing them. The rules will most likely be reinforced in their first lesson, but it never hurts to give your child a leg up!
3. Access Some Online Resources
Go one step further to prepare your child for their first badminton lesson, or to reinforce concepts of the game as they continue their lessons, and try out some online resources for teaching your child badminton at home! You can find instructional videos on YouTube that will help your child improve their skills. These can also serve as a means of trying out some at-home badminton learning to see if your child is really interested enough for lessons. Check out this guide to the best badminton YouTube channels by Badminton is Best!
4. Let Them Know It’s Ok to Fail
As with any new activity they will try, it will take your child some time to master the skills of badminton. It's a difficult game that requires a lot of energy, range of motion, and hand-eye coordination. Explain to your child that while they may not possess all these skills when they start out, they will increase their abilities as they practice. Don't let them base too much of their self-esteem on their performance in any one activity, including badminton. Remind them that it's just a game, and that trying is succeeding!
5. Supplement Stamina
While badminton largely consists of short bursts of movement, endurance can mean the difference between winning or losing a match! Encourage your child to cross-train, if possible, in an area that improves their long-term cardiovascular stamina. Long-distance running, swimming, and cycling are all things you can do together with your child to improve cardiovascular health.
6. Promote Positivity!
Be sure not to take any sport too seriously! Badminton, after all, is only a game. If you think your child's self-worth might be getting too tied up in their athletic performance, talk to them to try and take some of the pressure off. If they're overthinking it, chances are they're not having fun. And if they're not having fun, they are not getting the best learning experience they can. With any activity, the most important thing is that your child shows genuine interest and has fun.
For more information on sports activities for kids including badminton, soccer, basketball, and more, check out www.wondrfly.com! Search our listings from the best kids activity providers near you, and get your child involved in their next new passion today!