Guest post by Cindy Price
Parents of kids with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often wonder whether they should allow them to take part in sports. Thanks to the condition characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, such children have to work a little harder to understand teamwork, accountability, patience, and more.
Stil, various sources have shown that children or teens with ADHD not only enjoy team sports but also thrive from taking part in such athletic activities. Sports like baseball offer a great chance for these kids to use their excess energy in a constructive way while establishing a place for them to hone certain traits.
Baseball can help kids with ADHD in the following ways:
Helping them learn and practice teamwork
Baseball provides plenty of ways for ADHD kids to participate both on and off the pitch. Like most team sports, kids get to learn how to work together as a team to achieve set objectives, which in this case is winning games. ADHD kids get to learn how to share and interact with their teammates while having some good old-fashioned fun.
They learn how to take and follow direction.
Learning how to listen to and follow instructions is just one of the many practical life skills kids can get from baseball. Your kid might find it hard to learn all the rules at once so it might be better to talk to the coach to find ways to help your kid grasp the basics. Nonetheless, mastering the rules of the game and discovering their place on the baseball field lays a good foundation for understanding and following rules and direction in life.
It helps them focus on tasks
Kids with ADHD are easily distracted so getting them to take part in baseball is a great way to help them learn how to focus and stay on task. The sport demands their attention, whether they are learning to pitch, catch or hit. Even when playing an outfield position, your kid will still have to focus on the game, otherwise they risk getting smacked in the face by the ball. During downtime in the dugout, the coach can keep your child busy logging plays or arranging equipment so they don’t get bored.
They get a self-esteem boost
Since they find it difficult to focus, kids with ADHD often constantly struggle with schoolwork and they might feel isolated from their classmates. However, getting positive results and feedback out on the field can do wonders for their self-esteem. Their confidence goes up a notch as they realize there’s something they’re really good at.
They learn to socialize
In addition to physical fitness, baseball gives children with ADHD plenty of opportunity to interact and socialize with other kids. Talking about the game and learning the ropes helps them get out of their shell and provides a starting point to converse and bond with peers.
So if your child has ADHD, talk with them and find out if they have a passion for baseball. If they do, encourage them to join a team and get playing. While they might find it challenging at first, the benefits they gain will spill over into other aspects of their lives, making it all worthwhile.
Cindy Price is a mother of three who loves to write about topics related to family, children, and parenthood, especially teens and the issues they face.
