Children are hardwired to seek fun almost from the moment they are born. They are also as inherently competitive as the human condition dictates. With that said, it is the wise parent or caregiver who introduces their young ones to the joys that can be had when participating in team sports.

The key is to involve them early enough to learn the fundamentals alongside their peers, so later in life they are only concerned with the enjoyment of playing competitively. Doing so will foster in them a lifelong perception of sports participation being synonymous with pleasure, and they will naturally form lifelong healthy relationships with other children of the same mindset.

As they grow, they will look forward to sunny days, since they will perceive them as recreational opportunities; and will be less likely to form the habit of looking upon the heat as an excuse to stay inside, while involving themselves in sedentary activities.

They will naturally do whatever physical preparation is required for their chosen sport and will be less likely to see it as drudgery, so exercise will automatically become another enjoyable aspect of their endeavors toward excellence.

Parents should contact their local parks and recreation department as soon as children are of preschool age, since they will typically find seasonal offerings of various sports available to children starting at around the age of five.