While most parents know that having their young child play tennis is an excellent way for them to gain physical skills like muscle development, increased flexibility and gross motor coordination, they’re often not aware of the boost to developmental growth that tennis offers. Tennis is also an excellent way for kids to learn the social, emotional and behavioural developmental growth that children need.

Tennis is a wonderful sport to teach communication and problem solving skills that will help both on the court and in their lives as well. Racquet sports help children in the areas of attention, thinking, learning and memory, as well as a child’s overall cognitive function.

Thinking and Planning

Tennis offers children an opportunity to begin to develop emotionally and socially. Unlike other sports, tennis is played face to face with other children. This helps children learn to make decisions based on what other players are doing. This helps with cognitive thinking as well as planning, as they have to process what their “next steps” should be while playing.

Playing tennis also helps with building problem solving skills, which will not only be of help on the court but off the court as well. In addition, playing tennis will also help improve their attention and improved learning as they are constantly learning new skills and are being taught to think through the challenges they face when playing.

Socialization

One of the biggest developmental boosts that children receive when playing tennis is the socialization aspect of the game. They’re playing and learning with other children, and building bonds and relationships that will also help in their overall growth and maturity. Socializing with play also helps kids with their emotional development.

Other Benefits

When exercising and learning to play tennis, the child’s brain begins to release endorphins and serotonin, which helps kids regulate their mood. With a better mood, the child experiences less stress and anxiety. Also, by exercising, a child will have a better body image, which results in improved self esteem.

The earlier a child beings to learn the game, the more developmental benefits they will enjoy. Tennis is a “lifelong sport,” and the skills they learn early will last them a lifetime.