SPORT
Sport
Fun and Sports for Children: How to Combine and Understand Them
What Does Fun Mean for Children?
Fun for children is not just a smile on their face or a moment of joy. It plays a much deeper role in their emotional, social, and cognitive development. Children find fun in various activities, from playing with friends and exploring new things to expressing themselves creatively through art or music. Anything that allows them to be themselves, develop their abilities, and feel accepted is genuine fun for them.
Research shows there are ten key dimensions of fun, including friendly, sports-related, creative, and exploratory fun (Poris, 2006). Understanding these dimensions helps parents and teachers create environments where children can play, grow, and explore the world in their own authentic way.
How Do Children Experience Fun Today?
Today’s children find fun in a combination of the digital and real worlds. On one hand, social media, video games, and interactive apps have become part of their daily lives. On the other hand, activities like outdoor play, sports, and creative workshops still hold a special place but often require encouragement.
For children, fun is often linked to a sense of achievement—when they accomplish something on their own, overcome a challenge, or showcase their skills. Spending time with family and friends remains an integral part of their fun. The key is to create a balance between all these activities, allowing children to express themselves and enjoy what they do.
How Can Sports Encourage Fun ?
Sports have incredible potential to combine fun and development. Physical activity not only keeps children healthy but also helps them build confidence, learn how to deal with failures, and develop teamwork skills.
Research (Witt & Dangi, 2018) suggests that the focus should be on emphasizing fun and personal achievements rather than results. When rigid structures are avoided, and children are given the freedom to choose activities they enjoy, sports become something they look forward to. Additionally, allowing children to try multiple sports before specializing in one gives them the chance to discover what truly inspires them.
Why Do Children Quit Sports?
While many children enjoy sports, a significant number drop out before reaching their teenage years. The reasons for this are numerous and can be grouped into three main categories:
Internal Reasons: Lack of fun, feelings of boredom, and stress from high expectations. When practice becomes routine instead of enjoyment, children often lose motivation.
Interpersonal Reasons: Pressure from parents and coaches can create a sense of obligation rather than a desire to participate. When children feel they lack control over their experiences, they lose interest.
Structural Reasons: Injuries, high equipment costs, or overly organized activities that leave no room for free play can discourage participation.
How to Keep Children in Sports and Make It Fun?
To keep children engaged in sports, it’s essential to adjust the approach. Instead of focusing on results, the emphasis should be on the joy of participation and exploration. Here are some tips:
Goals Focused on Enjoyment: Rather than victories, the focus should be on ensuring children have fun and learn something new.
Support from Parents and Coaches: Children should have the freedom to explore different sports and choose what suits them best.
Equal Opportunities for All: It’s important that all children, regardless of skill level, get the chance to play and feel like part of the team.
Sports offer opportunities for play, learning, and growth—but only if we allow children to experience them as such. Ultimately, the most important thing is to listen to the children—they know best what is fun for them, and our job is to support them in that.
References:
1) Gavrilović, A. (2019). The role of sports in the development of a young individual. Sports, media and business, 5(1), 16-24.
2) Zdunić, T. (2022). Suvremeni aspekti mentalnog zdravlja mladih i školske djece (Doctoral dissertation, University of Rijeka. Faculty of Medicine. Department of Family Medicine).3) Poris, M. (2006). Understanding what fun means to today’s kids. Young Consumers, 7(1), 14–22. doi:10.1108/17473610610701358
4) Witt, P. A., & Dangi, T. B. (2018). Why children/youth drop out of sports. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 36(3).
