We all know how beneficial it is for our bodies to stay active. Sports, however, play a bigger role in our lives than most of us realize. Young children especially benefit from sports in many ways. In this blog post, learn more about how youth sports can benefit your child.
- Mental, Emotional and Social Health
- Educational and Career Impact
- Recreation Centers in South LA
Mental, Emotional and Social Health
Studies show that playing sports can reduce a child’s risk of anxiety, lower stress and depression levels, and increase creativity (health.gov)! Youth sports involvement also helps with cognitive performance. This means that children have a longer attention span, their memory and reaction time is better, and they are more capable of solving problems. Getting children involved in sports can also reduce the possibility of them using alcohol and other drugs.
Educational and Career Impact
Teamwork makes the dream work. Playing sports teaches kids the basics of communication, time management, and working together as a team. It also provides them with great social skills. Research indicates that kids who are part of a team that involves physical activity are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and perform better academically (health.gov). These skills combined prepare children with transferable skills they will use throughout their lives.
For a complete list of the benefits of youth sports, click here (via health.gov).
Recreation Centers in South LA
There are several recreation centers within South Los Angeles. Recreation centers are similar to parks in the sense that they offer the same greenery and some amenities (picnic tables, etc.). Recreation centers may also have sports equipment such as tennis courts and aquatic centers.
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center is located at 5401 Highlight Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90016. They offer a number of activities including Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Dance, Martial Arts, Cheer, Track and Field, Gymnastics, Volleyball, and Flag Football.
Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex (A.K.A. Rancho Cienega Sports Complex)
This sports complex is one of our favorites. It offers an abundance of amenities, and they even have job opportunities for young people. Sports offered at this location include Basketball, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Flag Football, Softball, Baseball, Summer Night Lights, Boxing, Track and Field, Fitness Exercise, Skating and Skateboarding, Soccer Futsal, Cheer, and Dance. The Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex is located at 5001 Obama Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90016.
Register for activities and find a complete list of recreation centers in the Los Angeles area at https://www.laparks.org/reccenter.