Cristiano Epstein: Sports Should Be Child's Play

The idea of sports has been around since humankind. Ancient Greece introduced the Olympic Games in 776 BC which still to this very day encourages athletes to train for early on in their lives (“’History’”). Cristiano Ronaldo for example was only ten when he was deemed “A phenomenon—a kid who ate, slept and drank the game” (Christiano). George Jr, or better known as “Babe Ruth”, was only seven when he was introduced into baseball (Babe). How do children grow up to be talented in a sport? The answer is practice, even at a young age. In Epstein’s essay Sports Should Be Child’s Play, Epstein argues that children are playing sports at too young of an age, and spending too much time in a particular sport. When really, children who focus on one sport …show more content…
In Epstein’s writing, he mentions that sports are not ideal for a child’s growing body. Conversely, choosing a sport that provides an outlet for a child’s energy can greatly beneficial even for children as young as four. Sports like soccer and basketball provide an excellent aerobic workout by strengthening muscles and increasing heart rate (“’Coordination’”). Playing a sport also helps children to improve their attention and focus as well as motor skills (“’Coordination”’). It is certainly not too early for a child to participate in a sport that can benefit their bodies and much …show more content…
If a child enjoys a sport, let them play and practice as much as they desire to so long as it is in a healthy manner. Let young children benefit from learning the art of sportsmanship and discover the positive feelings associated with having a family of teammates. As quoted by Michael Jordan, “Just play, have fun, enjoy the game.” Children have been participating in sports for hundreds of years, let’s not deprive future generations of the same