As with any physical activity, outdoor winter sports can pose a risk of injury. While injuries do occur, they are less frequent than you might think. Typically, winter sports only become dangerous when children do not take precautions.
Don't let an accident ruin your child's vacation. We have collected information about the most interesting winter sports and how to ensure safety on ice, slopes, snow trails.
Winter means cold weather, holiday treats, good movies for most people, and kids these days with modern technology and video games are no exception. As the days get shorter and colder, it can be difficult to motivate yourself and your child to get out and be active. A sedentary lifestyle can negatively affect both physical and mental well-being.
Benefits of winter sports
- The most important advantage of winter sports is the ability to combine physical activity with hardening. For example, skating and skiing in the open air at subzero temperatures is possible. The persistent effect of cold on the body with sufficient physical activity helps to strengthen the immune system and increase the overall defense of the body. Also, during physical education, in general, muscles are strengthened, coordination develops, the oxygen saturation of the brain increases, and the production of endorphins and adrenaline - hormones that help to constantly stay in a good mood and keep the body in good shape - increases.
- Burn calories and stay healthy. One of the biggest benefits of sports in winter is keeping children healthy. They can burn calories while running and playing outdoors, shedding excess weight that may have begun to gain from overeating at family parties and holiday events. Children need to stay as active as possible regardless of the season to stay healthy and fit.
- Relieve stress. Children get upset quickly during the holidays when they stay at home every day. They may feel locked out and depressed when they have to sit inside. When children are outdoors, additional sports can provide stress relief. Playing sports outside the home allows them to be distracted and focus on other things.
- Socialization. Long winter breaks make many children feel lonely and disconnected from their peers. Winter sports allow children to spend several hours with friends, communicate with other people and enjoy the company of their age.
Children need to do some activity during the winter season. Sport allows them to connect with their peers, relieve stress when needed, and burn calories. When the holiday season begins, the amount of food consumed and the time spent in front of the TV increase. Sports activities in winter will help children stay active and healthy even on holidays.
How to attract a child to sports in winter?
- Watch winter sports together. Instead of watching a movie, watch sports while watching ice hockey, skiing, figure skating, and speed skating. Prepare snacks and watch your kids watch the competition. Pay attention to what kinds of sports attract the attention of children. Find ways to discuss what they find most interesting. This will help you understand what sport they can try.
- Ask your kids about their favorite outdoor games or summer sports. Understanding which summer sports your kids love will help determine which winter sports are of interest to them. For example, a hockey team structure may be attractive to a young soccer player; dance element of figure skating - for a young ballet student; the racing nature of skiing or speed skating - for a young runner or swimmer; and snowboarding tricks for the young skateboarder.
- Explore sports during school holidays or weekends. Attract your kids' attention during school holidays with winter activities. Find outdoor ice rinks or plan a short trip up the mountain and take a skiing class for beginners. Don't tell your children outright that they are in different sports.
- Explore school circles and sections. As soon as children begin to show interest in sports, support them, find opportunities for them to exercise. Schools often host an annual cross country ski run or something similar. However, some schools may have limited access to children's sports sections. Try to find the nearest ice rink or local team that will allow your child to participate or watch the workout.
Regardless of which sport your kids choose, your top priorities should be to have fun and stay safe.
The best winter sports for kids
Skiing
For boys and girls, ski lessons are available from 5 to 6 years old. Skiing will help build self-confidence in children, it also awakens a competitive spirit in them and teaches them to perceive victories and defeats correctly. On the health side, skiing is very important for children as all muscle groups are involved in the learning process.
Skiing favors the development of the child from both a medical and psychosocial point of view. The main thing is not to force him to train, but also to choose equipment wisely.
The benefits of skiing for children:
- training of correct breathing;
- hardening;
- improving coordination and balance;
- strengthening the vascular system;
- increased endurance and increased body tone;
- strengthening the muscles of the legs and abs.
Snowboarding
Children can practice snowboarding from the age of seven - both boys and girls. A prerequisite for early learning is the child's strong legs. This sport develops the ability to maneuver and maintain balance on the board. Snowboarding promotes self-confidence and is a great opportunity for social interaction.
In this sport, it is desirable to practice with an instructor. His guidance will help you improve riding techniques and avoid injury.
Benefits of snowboarding:
- training of the cardiovascular system;
- development and strengthening of the respiratory system;
- improved metabolism;
- strengthening the muscles of the lower leg and thigh;
- improvement of the vestibular apparatus;
- strengthening the muscles of the core.
Contraindications:
- asthma;
- increased fragility of bones.
Hockey
Hockey is a great sport for children looking to gain strength, build endurance and, most importantly, maintain body balance.
You can send a child to hockey at the age of nine. Although a boy can put on skates at the age of 4 and give him a club. In hockey, you can record a kid with a decent body weight, endurance and an extroverted character. That is, he must initially be tuned in to communication with people and the ability to play in a group.
Contraindications to hockey:
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- connective tissue problems;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Skating
Girls are recommended to skate from 6 years old. Boys - in a year or two. Although you can put your child on skates when they learn to stand on their feet and walk confidently. Of course, the presence of parents in this case is mandatory. Figure skates close the baby's ankles tightly and reduce the risk of injury, so the child can be skated earlier than in hockey or speed skating. It is also worth noting the structure of the skates' blades - they are more stable and less dangerous.
The benefits of ice skating:
- developing balance and agility;
- strengthening the muscles of the legs;
- improving the condition of the circulatory system;
- hardening;
- improvement of thermoregulation processes;
- in the case of figure skating, the development of ear for music and artistry.
Contraindications:
- disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- myopia;
- lung disease;
- asthma;
- head injury;
- kidney disease;
- vascular diseases.
Ensuring safety when doing sports in winter
Winter sports are very exciting. Ask any child who just scored the winning goal in a hockey game or ended up sledding at the foot of a giant hill.
But when a child is sitting in a sled, getting ready to ski or doing an 8 on ice in his skates, you need to know how to keep him safe. Otherwise, the little one can get hurt and go to the hospital while everyone else is enjoying the snow.
Keeping warm is the most important rule
Regardless of which winter sport you and your child choose, it is important not to freeze. The correct clothing and equipment will help with this. Some of the newer fabrics suitable for cold temperatures will provide optimal thermal support without adding extra weight.
The baby's body must remain warm in order to function properly.
When the body is at the right temperature, it does not need to waste much heat to keep warm. This will give the child maximum energy for winter fun. Plus, if your baby is dressed properly, it means you can stay outdoors longer without worrying about frostbite.
Safe sledding
When choosing a sled, make sure it is strong and that your child can handle it. Make sure the handles are easy to grip and the seat is soft.
Never use homemade sleds such as plastic bags or air mattresses - they are dangerous and the child could lose control when going downhill. Also, never use a sled with sharp jagged edges or broken parts.
Wearing a bicycle helmet is a good habit. Doctors confirm that this is a great way to protect your head when sledding.
When choosing a hill for your descent, make sure that the hill is not too steep and that it is covered with snow and not ice. The hill should not end anywhere near cars on the road. Also, avoid obstacles such as rocks, bushes, stumps covered with snow. You should only ride in daylight, or in well-lit areas.
To avoid injury, do not let your child go down while someone is at the foot.
On a sled, you need to slide down while sitting, not lying down. Descending while lying down increases the risk of injury.
Ice skating safety
Whichever type of skating you and your child choose (figure skating or speed skating), the rule is always the same: skate only on high-quality ice. In places where it is really cold, you can ride outdoors in frozen ponds and lakes. But these places must be approved for skiing, this is indicated by special designations.
Never try to step on ice that has not been approved, even for a second. Ice that looks and feels strong may not always support a child's weight.
When you have a safe place to skate, you need safe skates. They must be appropriate for the age of the child. Don't try to put on skates that are too small on your toddler, or put on a lot of socks to use a larger one. The skates should be comfortable, but not too tight, laced up at the top.
When playing hockey, do not let your child out without proper equipment.
When ice skating on public ice rinks, you must skate in the same direction as the rest of the crowd.
Do not ride with anything in your mouth (candy or chewing gum) to avoid the entry of foreign objects into the respiratory tract.
Skiing and Snowboarding Safety
Before going on the slopes for skiing or snowboarding, make sure you have the right equipment and that it is suitable for your child. For many children, the equipment used is too large for them. Perhaps it belonged to an older brother or sister, and you hope that the child will be able to "grow to him." Equipment that is too large will make it difficult to control.
The same goes for boots and bindings. Make sure it is the correct size for your feet before hitting the slopes. Kids-only ski boots are a good bet because they are more flexible than adult boots, easier to handle, allowing for faster skiing.
Helmets are a must for skiing and snowboarding. Protective goggles will protect your eyes from the glare of the sun and objects that can get in the way and get into your eyes (such as tree branches). Knee and elbow shields are essential for snowboarders. Some of them, who are just learning, wear specially padded pants to cushion falls.
Playing sports in the winter usually means sliding and descending on ice and snow, and this can cause bruises and injuries throughout the body. Therefore, before starting sports, remember the precautions to stay safe.
