Parent to Parent: Sports

It's the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. But for the Diaz family...

Irandis Diaz, father
"You gotta kick it back, go Jeremiah, go Aidan, go Irandis, go, go, go."

Sports are all about playing the game and having a good time.

Irandis Diaz, father
"No expectations, just wanted him to have fun, to be athletic, to do sports. I think it's healthy."

Not to mention, it keeps the boys, Mom and Dad busy.

Irandis Diaz Jr., son
"I do soccer, um, baseball and swimming. My favorite is soccer."

Irandis Diaz, father
"They have a lot of energy, so I need to get that energy out of them ‘cause if not, they do not go to sleep."

Studies show children, who eat healthy and play sports, are less likely to be obese or develop childhood diabetes.

But besides the health benefits, experts say sports provides plenty of life learning lessons.

Dr. Sally Goldberg
"Sports are filled with rules. In order to play, you have to follow the rules."

That's why Dr. Sally says start your child young in sports, but make sure it's not competitive.

Dr. Sally Goldberg
"On a preschool level, the children are not old enough to use strategies, strategy is what makes competitive play passable, appropriate and effective."

That changes at age six. Six-year-olds can problem solve and understand winning and losing.

However, Dr. Sally says always teach your child to focus on playing their best and not on the win column.

Dr. Sally Goldberg
"How many times have you heard, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game. You heard it a lot because that's the important motto to tell your child."

Playing a sport also builds teamwork and teaches your child how to work with others. Plus, it can boost a child's confidence as they get better at the game.

Dr. Sally Goldberg
"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again, make that phrase one of your child's favorites as well."

And make sure to compliment your child. Attend practice and games, and if you can, volunteer to help.

Dr. Sally Goldberg
"It's important that the parents support the sport."

The Diaz boys are lucky. While Mom sits on the sidelines, cheering them on, Dad is coaching on the field. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Irandis Diaz, father
"It's time consuming and every year I say I'm not going to do it next year, but every year they ask me and for the kids, I can't say no."

I'm Byron Barnett, 7News.

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