Why Cheerleading is a Great Activity for All Kids

Why Cheerleading is a Great Activity for All Kids

Becoming a cheerleader can be stimulating for the mind, body, and soul! Cheerleading has many benefits for small children, teens, and young adults. Cheerleading can provide lifelong health and social benefits for all children if they approach this type of activity with an open and positive mindset.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is very important for all children. Cheerleading requires many levels of physical activity and is a great way to exercise and burn energy for all who participate. It requires a mixture of physical and mental activities including dance, gymnastics, jumps, and acting. The workouts and the cheer routines require lifting, running, tumbling, and stretching. All of these things build muscle, strength, and stamina. This in return helps children stay in great physical shape.

Coordination
Cheerleading teaches children all types of coordination skills. The routines and practices have repetitive movements and motions that help develop these skills. In cheerleading you learn all types of body positions that will later benefit your child in learning new and more difficult skills. Cheerleading involves challenging the mind to learn new movement, fix mistakes, and come up with new ideas.

Teamwork
Cheerleading is not an individual sport. It involves the whole team working together to perform as one unit. Cheerleading also teaches children to have great sportsmanship and how to work with one another. Being on a team requires individuals to depend on each other for success as a whole. It also teaches individuals how to trust one another. Cheerleading involves stunts, pyramids, and basket tosses. The athletes have to trust one another to have the confidence to participate at this level.

Confidence and Self-Esteem
Participating in cheerleading is very motivating and up-lifting. Cheerleading teaches all children to come out of their shell and instills a spirit of optimism. Individuals involved on a team learn to depend on others and work together. This helps the child to understand they are not alone and builds confidence.

 The author

 Natalie Gregg is from Louisiana. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Natalie has been an instructor for the Universal Cheerleading Association for 4 years. She earned a UCA College National Championship title in 2005 while cheering at ULM. Natalie has been coaching for the past 7 years as well as Head All-Star Cheer Coach in her home town for 3 years. She has also worked as a choreographer in the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. Cheerleading has been a part of her life for 14 years and she is grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for this sport internationally in China!