Top benefits of weekly sports classes for young children
When children are experiencing sport for the first time as toddlers, and young children, sport is not about competition or perfect technique, it is about movement, building confidence, forming friendships, and having lots of fun. Weekly sports classes give young children the chance to build important life skills whilst enjoying an environment designed just for them. Attending regularly allows children to feel familiar and settled in a class environment whilst building relationships with their coaches and peers. At Cricket Kids we believe in supporting children to progress naturally at their own pace because we want children to take part without pressure, and for them to feel proud of how far they’ve come when they (and their parents) reflect on each term.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of weekly sports classes for young children:
1. Sports classes build confidence from an early age
Trying new movements, using new equipment and being encouraged by familiar coaches helps children to grow in confidence week by week. At Cricket Kids, we celebrate all of the small wins like catching a balloon or beanbag for the first time, joining in with a game, or having a go and picking up a bat to try and make contact with the ball. Confidence is one of the strongest predictors of long-term participation in sport and physical activity. Children who feel capable and supported when they are young are more likely to try new activities, speak up and engage at school and persevere when something feels tricky. The self confidence they develop in class can be transferred to other situations, helping children to believe in themselves both on and off the “field of play”.
2. Sport encourages healthy movement habits
Regular sports classes help children develop a love of being active early on in life. Instead of seeing movement as something they “have” to do, it becomes something they look forward to, setting the foundation for a healthy active lifestyle. Research consistently shows that children who develop positive movement habits early are more likely to remain active as teenagers and adults. Regular physical activity is linked to:
- Lower risk of childhood and adult obesity
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Better sleep patterns
- Stronger bones and muscles
At Cricket Kids, we ensure our sessions include a mixture of activities that encourage children to get moving throughout the sessions; during warm ups, skill drills and mini matches that we play.
3. Regular sport supports physical development
Weekly sports sessions can help develop:
- Balance and coordination
- Running, jumping and stopping
- Throwing, catching and hitting a ball
- Spatial awareness and body control
These fundamental movement skills support all sports later in life, not just cricket. Studies show children who master these early are more confident joining PE and school sports, less likely to drop out of physical activity later and are better coordinated and injury-resilient. At Cricket Kids, we focus on play based activities that build these skills naturally, using cricket as a fun vehicle rather than a technical endpoint.
4. Classes help children learn routine and structure
Young children thrive on routine and attending a weekly sports class helps them understand important life skills such as:
- Arriving on time each week
- Listening to instructions
- Turn-taking
- Transitioning between activities
All of these skills that are nurtured during Cricket Kids classes support early learning and school readiness.
5. Sport builds social skills and friendships
Weekly sports classes give children regular opportunities to play alongside others, share equipment, cheer for teammates and communicate and cooperate with each other and coaches. Children who regularly take part in group activities from a young age often show stronger teamwork skills later – qualities valued in education, workplaces and leadership roles. At Cricket Kids we provide many children their first experience of being part of a group outside of nursery or home and we pride ourselves in making this experience positive, fostering an inclusive environment to ensure that all children feel encouraged engage.
6. Sport provides a positive outlet for energy
Young children have lots of energy (as parents of a 3 year old, we get it!)
Weekly sports classes give kids a safe, and structured way to release that energy. Movement, games and play help children regulate emotions, improve focus and feel calmer afterwards. At Cricket Kids we love hearing how our sessions can support high energy kids to channel their energy into something productive that helps them to develop new skills that they then share with friends and family outside of class.
7. Sports classes encourage resilience and perseverance
Learning a new skill takes time, and for little children, it can feel hard at times. Weekly sports gently teaches children that it is ok to try and not get it right straight away. At Cricket Kids, we adapt our sessions to suit the children’s abilities, and within sessions we have levels of progression during skill development exercises to motivate kids to keep practicing. We celebrate effort, not just outcomes and encourage children to celebrate their teammates’ successes as well as their own. These early lessons in resilience are closely linked to long-term success in education and careers, where confidence to try again is key.
8. Regular classes create quality bonding moments
For younger age groups especially, sports classes are often a shared experience with parents or carers. Watching your child try, smile and grow in confidence creates special moments, and memories, that last far beyond each session.
Final thoughts…
Weekly sports classes for young children aren’t about producing future professionals. At cricket Kids, our classes are not about creating the next elite cricketers, they are about building confidence, enjoyment, movement and a sense of belonging. When children feel safe, supported, and encouraged, amazing things happen, both in and outside of classes. If you are thinking about introducing your child to sport, weekly classes are a brilliant place to start. For us, cricket is simply the tool – the impact goes far beyond the sport.