Playing sports involves the sensory and motor systems
The development of these two systems starts with the maturation of the vestibular (inner ear) & the cerebellar (movement control) systems.
These systems create the basis of how kids learn to balance & move in space. The vestibular system contains structures in the inner ear like the semicircular canals and vestibular nuclei that gather sensory information and provide feedback for movement. This information travels through nerve tracts to the cerebellum and other parts of the brain to move. These systems also activate the reticular activating system in the brain stem, which is important for attentional control. All these systems interact in order to use proprioception to balance, attend to thoughts that turn into actions, and coordinate that movement
This is why it’s necessary for kids to move in order to develop and mature these systems. Let kids play games at the playground or in the gym that allow them to spin, jump, roll, and move in general to build upon these systems
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