Skip to main content

What are the benefits of sports in child development? We break it down

Sports for 3-year-olds are a must for your child's development

Seeing tiny humans play sports is one of the most adorable things ever. Watching your little child run the wrong way in baseball or score for the wrong team in basketball is all part of the process, and it’s also extremely good for their individual development. If you can’t wait to see your precious peanut in a tiny uniform, you don’t have to wait too long. Three is an ideal age to introduce your preschooler to sports.

Preschooler sports aren’t about competition, winning, or losing. Three year olds who participate in sports gain a lot of benefits. Let’s go over the benefits of sports in child development for your little tyke.

Three kids on a gymnastics mat.

Benefits of preschool sports

Getting your preschooler active in youth sports isn’t about getting them started on the road to earn that college athletic scholarship. Participating in a sport geared toward preschoolers is important for a child’s social, emotional, and physical development. Here are some of the pluses to getting your child out on the field, moving around the gym, or making waves in the pool.

Gross motor skills

Running, jumping, hopping, and other gross motor skills come from working the large muscles of the body. When kids are outside (or inside) playing in an organized sport, they develop those all-important gross motor, balance, and coordination skills.

Overall health

Participating in organized sports is excellent for your child’s overall health. By encouraging youth sports at an early age, you are teaching your child about the importance of exercise. Playing sports builds muscles while exercising the heart and lungs. Time outside playing sports has also been found to decrease the likelihood of vision problems during childhood.

Socialization

Taking part in a preschool sport is a wonderful way for your 3-year-old to make friends. Parents could also connect with other adults and the next thing you know, there’s a play date on the calendar. Introducing your kiddo to group activities will also make it easier for them to make friends when they start school.

Learning important social skills

Heading to the field or gym for a group sports activity teaches kids basic social skills that make transitioning to preschool and later kindergarten much less stressful. When 3-year-olds participate in a team sport they learn how to take turns, which we know isn’t the easiest concept for a young child. Kids also learn how to wait patiently and follow directions. These are all social skills they will need for life in general.

Build self-esteem and confidence

For preschoolers, being a part of a team is great for self-esteem, which leads to more confidence on and off the field. Having a team of little peers hyping you up because you hit the ball really makes your day.

preschooler playing t- ball

Best sports for preschoolers

If you’re looking to get your preschooler involved in sports, these are ideal for 3-year-olds.

Soccer

This is a perfect pick for preschoolers because kids love running around outside anyway. Soccer is excellent for socialization and is an exciting way to introduce your preschooler to sports. Many communities have recreational soccer programs for 3-year-olds. Check out programs like Lil’Kickers that are specifically designed for preschoolers

Tee-ball

There may not be as much running in tee-ball, but it’s still super fun and earmarked for preschoolers. It’s terrific for gross motor skill development and hand-eye coordination. Social skills are also engaged since there are so many kids on a team.

Gymnastics

A parent-and-me class in gymnastics is a top choice because it gets preschoolers and adults running, climbing, crawling, and jumping. Classes are geared toward preschoolers with a parent or caregiver and introduce kids to the basics of gymnastics in a stress-free and fun environment. If your preschooler takes a liking to jumping on the trampoline and doing forward rolls, they should take solo classes and let their parent catch their breath.

Swimming

Like gymnastics, a parent/child swimming class is one way to introduce kids to the water while making friends. Parent/child swim classes are typically offered at community pools each summer or at YMCA’s and gyms year-round. Kiddos can also take private or group lessons if their supervising adult doesn’t want to get their hair wet.

A group of young kids taking a swimming class.

Find the right sport for your toddler’s personality

Sports like basketball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, football, and golf are all wonderful youth sports to get your child involved in. Just because your child is three doesn’t mean you have to limit them to certain sports. It’s all about where your toddler’s comfort and confidence levels are. There are some amazing three-year-old skateboarders and snowboarders out there that have been playing the sport since they were one.

Getting your child involved in youth sports as a preschooler offers a lot of physical, social, and emotional pluses. If your child continues in youth sports, the benefits continue. Three is the ideal age to begin introducing your child to soccer, t-ball, gymnastics, or even swimming.

Your first stop to finding an appropriate youth sports activity for your three-year-old is your community. Many local recreation departments offer a variety of programs. Community pools and gyms typically have parent-and-child swimming and gymnastics classes on the calendar.

Whether it’s on a team or a parent-and-child class, these activities provide preschoolers with fun, exercise, socialization, and more. Enjoy watching those little legs figure out how far the benefits of sports will take them.

Editors' Recommendations

Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
Baby play mat ins and outs: What age you should get one and the benefits for baby’s development
Try a baby play mat for interactive bonding and skill development
Smiling baby on colorful play mat

If you have a little one and need a quick break, a baby play mat is a must-have item. A play mat gives your child a comfortable spot where they can play on their tummy and practice rolling over. It's also a nice place where baby's classic toys are within easy reach for your mini human. 

One benefit it offers is encouragement for your little one to interact with their surroundings. Plus, baby play mats give a fun opportunity for your little one to reach development milestones and build the muscles they need to sit up and crawl. If you haven't grabbed one for your tiny tot yet, you'll want to after we tell you all about these fun baby play mats. 

Read more
7 reasons an activity table for kids should be in your home right now
Why you need an activity table for the kids
Child with activity table

For new parents, it's exciting to buy your child’s first toys. But when shopping for your little one’s entertainment, many new parents feel unsure about the right kinds of toys to buy. After all, babies can't talk, so they won't tell you what they do or don't like.

This is why activity tables for kids are an excellent choice for young children who are starting to discover the world around them. With multiple opportunities to learn, these all-in-one stations are a great solution that all parents should consider as a must-have toy for their tiny tot.

Read more
Noncompetitive games every child will love
Give these noncompetitive games a try for the kids
Group of kids playing improv game outside

Not every child is athletic, nor is every child interested in playing competitive games like kickball that typically involve kids being selected one by one. It never feels good to be picked last for a team, but that can sometimes happen even more to a child who may not be as athletic as their peers. It can even create feelings of unworthiness that may cause a lot of despair for a child. While many children enjoy more competitive games like kickball, games to play in parks can be just as fun while eliminating the competitive spirit of the game.

Although there's nothing wrong with having your child engage in healthy competition, it shouldn't be a negative thing that exhausts them and makes them feel frustrated. That’s why it's so exciting that there are noncompetitive games out there they can play. There is a great feeling of playing with your friends and working together for a single goal without the pressure of competition. The end of the game doesn't have to mean there are winners and losers. Everyone can be a winner.

Read more