Kavi Ranjan

How Many Players are On A Basketball Team?

Basketball is one of the most popular games that is played in many countries across the globe. If you, too, are interested in the game and would like to know more about it, then you are at the right place.

Is anybody interested in the game would have the first basic question in his/her mind- How many players are on a basketball team?

The query might look straightforward and to the point, but it is actually not so. Unlike other sports, the answer to this question is ambiguous for basketball. It creates plenty of confusion regarding the sport. In this write-up, we would explore the answer to the query and cut on the ambiguity around it. Stay hooked!

How many players are on a basketball team?

The answer to this query is especially important for all those who intend to play basketball as it would help them follow the team’s roster or its changes with minimal difficulty.

Unfortunately, as pointed out, the answer to the question is not precise. Broadly, the number can vary from one to 20. It is despite a conventional rule of five players from each side on the basketball court at the time of the game.

A basketball team has a roster. The reason for the ambiguity is that different basketball leagues around the world have a different number of players on their roster.

Basketball active & inactive List

The basketball team roster has two components- The active list and the inactive list.

The number of players active on a team roster constitutes the active list. By this, we mean all those players who can be put into the game off the bench or even as a starter. It might be pointed out that healthy scratches are not counted in this list. Healthy scratches are all those healthy players who do not dress up for a match and, thus are not used by the coach.

The inactive list is made up of healthy scratches and players who are not physically fit to play the game at that time. These players serve as substitute players. If an active player gets injured or is not performing as desired, they will be replaced by these players to enter the game and increase the chances of winning.

Before any match, the players of the active and inactive list can be interchanged for the benefit of the team.

Players on the conventional roster

The NBA is considered the standard of the basketball team. Conventionally, there are five players per team that can be on the court and are referred to as starters. However, the NBA roster has a total of 15 players of which 12 can get dressed for a particular match.

For a match, there can be 13 players, including starters, on a bench. The count adds both the team. Each team can have a maximum of eight players on their bench for any regular season’s game.

Likewise, each team is only permitted twelve active players throughout the season.

The total number of players is decided by the extent the NBA team is in a particular season. In an offseason, i.e., anytime between the last game of a season and the first game of the next season, a team is allowed to have a maximum of 20 players signed. It might be noted that with no minimum rule, a team can have even zero players signed during the offseason.

The NBA hardship exception

Like all games, even basketball players are highly vulnerable to injury. For this, the game has the hardship exception rule in place. The rule comes into play when any team has more than four of its players seriously injured. In that scenario, they can increase the roster size to 16 players to keep things fair. The extra person proves valuable here. However, such a situation is a rare occurrence.

The makeup of the NBA teams

In a basketball match, the players play in five positions, namely the point guard, shooting guards, power forwards, small forwards, and centers. Each position carries its own duties and responsibilities. However, as the game advances, it is not uncommon for the players to blur the line between one or two positions.

It must also be pointed out that despite plenty of roster rules, there is no rule on the number of players a team must-have for a certain position. A team can fill up the roster with any kind of players that they desire. But most teams go for a balanced approach to maximize their chances of winning.

Variation in the number of players in different basketball leagues

We have already mentioned that the list of limitations varies in basketball based on the specific league in question. Let’s walk through a few of these variations in different basketball leagues.

High School Basketball Team

This team can have a maximum of 20 players on each roster on game day. It should be noted that they have the largest number of players rostered. The reason for it is quite simple.

High school basketball teams constitute one of the grassroots levels of teams. Given that coaches and League officials try to give opportunities to as many players to play as possible.

But while 20 players are rostered, only 15 are allowed to play in any one game. Moreover, schools are given the freedom to change the roster size from 20 to any below number, depending on their financial capability, games’ venue, and the importance of the game.

College Basketball Team

It is an upgrade of the school team. At this level, the aim is not to give exposure to as many players as possible, but it is more focused on championships and making it to the pros. The teams here are referred to as NCAA.

Here the roster limitation is 15 players, which is the same as the NBA. Of it, only 13 are allowed to dress up for any game. The difference lies with the inactive players who are allowed to sit on the bench in the NBA. In the college team, they must sit behind the bench.

It is not mandatory for any college team to have inactive players. If desired, a college basketball team can also have their roster size reduced to 13.

The NBA Team

The next team after the college teams are the NBA teams. They are the pro-league teams. We already know about their roster size.

The WNBA Basketball team

The WNBA constitutes one of the smallest professional basketball leagues. Currently, it has 12 teams and thus 12 available roster spots. It is similar to that of FIBA competitions.

Wrapping up

We hope that by now, you have the clarity to the question, ‘How many players are on a basketball team?’ Their roster size, number of active and inactive players, substitutes and coaches, etc., all depending on the team, their level, and the importance of the competition.

Authoritative Parenting Pros and Cons | Lessons You Must Learn as a Parent

By Kavi Ranjan

As parents, we cannot settle for anything but the best for our kids. The essential requirement for it is to raise them right. It might look easy, but you would agree how difficult it actually is. Most parents struggle to find a perfect balance between being strict and lenient such that the child gets the right attitude and values.

For it, parents resort to several types of parenting styles. There are primarily six styles of parenting which they resort to either exclusively or in combination. One such style of parenting that is increasingly on the rise is the authoritative parenting style.

In this write-up, we would understand what it is exactly and authoritative parenting pros and cons. It would help you get a clear idea if this style works for you in its pure form or even a modified form. Stay hooked!

What Is Authoritative Parenting?

Foremost, let us understand what authoritative parenting is. We often see parents who are too strict on children and impose plenty of rules on them without any avenue for the kids to communicate their feelings. In contrast to these authoritarian parents, we have permissive parents who give up on rules completely, and concede to almost all demands of their kids.

As evident, a balance is missing in both these styles of parenting. Authoritative parenting is a combination and balance of both these parenting styles. This style of parenting recognizes the importance of rules and limits and thus flaunt a high level of demandingness. Simultaneously, they also understand the importance of communication and self-expression. Hence, they offer amicable communication and a high level of responsiveness.

The level of demandingness and responsiveness in the authoritative parenting style is less than the pure authoritative and permissive parenting style. Here, parents pave the way for amicable communication by encouraging their children to express themselves and understanding the importance of rules set by them in a secure, amicable, and friendly but affirmative way. Here, the rules are based on the child’s caliber made evident by their past performances and achievements.

Traits of Authoritative Parents

Authoritative parents exhibit some telltale traits like:

Demand and response

Parents set rules by discussing them with their children such that they are within the child’s potential and agreeable to the child.

Give and Take Verbally

The leading trait of this style of parenting is communication. Here, parents explain the reason for setting a particular rule, permit the children to state their grievances and challenges, and come to an amicable solution in the end. Thus, two-way communication emerges as a significant feature of this type of communication.

Involvement and Assistance

Authoritative parenting is all about understanding the children and their needs while helping them grow to the best of their potential. Fairness and respect are given due focus and importance. Parents offer enough support and guidance on asking to help the child achieve their goals.

Parents ensure getting involved with the children and do not hesitate to offer help and support when asked for. The aim of this is to empower them and not intimidate them or befriend them. This attitude commands a natural respect and love from the child.

Critique and Praise

Authoritative parents are very particular about fairness and respect. They allow their kids to make mistakes and do not hesitate to give honest and unbiased feedback, even if they sound harsh. Likewise, they are not miser in appreciating the child on his strengths and achievements.

This balance and blend of appreciation and criticism help children understand their weaknesses and strengths. Gradually, it helps to build character and bring about positive development in the children.

Balance of Freedom and Supervision

One of the hallmark traits of authoritative parenting is an almost perfect balance of freedom and supervision. The children are given freedom to an extent but not entirely. It helps the child to develop a sense of responsibility and fairness. Simultaneously, they realize the boundaries that they would not be allowed to cross.

Love and Restrictions

Bonding with the child is an essential element of authoritative parenting. Children know that they are being loved despite given rules and restrictions to live with. They are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. They are made to understand and obey rules willingly such that they experience an overall development in all aspects.

Hence, even if the rules look harsh, children follow them willingly as they know the reason and the goodness behind it. They are aware of their parents’ unconditional love at all times.

Quality Time

Unlike the dictatorship model, authoritative parenting flaunts a cooperative and friendly way. Parents spend quality time with their children, explain to them the need for rules laid down, allow children to air their issues, make minor mistakes, and do many other things. Because of this quality time, there is enough trust, respect and love nurtured between the parents and children.

Pros of Authoritative Parenting

Now that we know the traits of authoritative parenting, let’s get down to authoritative parenting pros and cons. Foremost, we list the pros of authoritative parenting. Stay hooked!

Increased Accountability Amongst Children

Children of authoritative parents are raised to take decisions themselves and accept its responsibility. They own their decision and its consequences, both positive and negative. It not only hones their decision-making ability but also be accountable for it. Gradually, they learn to make sound decisions. These children are also less prone to give in to peer pressure.

More Independent Children

Authoritative parents set rules but also give their children plenty of independence within the boundaries. Reasonable expectations are demanded of children. This, in turn, helps a child to develop their personal expectations and gradually become far more self-reliant and independent than children raised from any other parenting styles.

More Respectful Towards Others

Mutual respect is one of the leading traits of authoritative parenting. The parents show respect to their children by giving them certain freedom and right to make decisions. It is also seen as a trust imparted to children by their parents, along with respect to the children’s privacy.

The children consciously and unconsciously acknowledge their parents’ gestures and naturally turn respectful towards them. The habit of giving respect breeds, and the children form a habit of respecting almost anybody.

Better Leadership Qualities

Authoritative parents allow their children to make decisions and owe their responsibility and consequences. It breeds confidence and an independent streak in the children. It also breeds leadership qualities in them. Children of authoritative parents turn out better leaders in the future.

Enhanced Resiliency

Children raised by authoritative parents make many decisions. Few lead them to failures. Consequently, children learn from these mistakes under the guidance of their parents. Likewise, they learn to revel in their success.

Better Academic Performance

Authoritative parenting has clear lines of communication. Children are given freedom within boundaries. Parents do not hesitate to get involved with children and help them overcome their challenges. It leads to improved academic performance for their kids. Each study challenge is understood, and solutions are found to overcome it.

More Successful Children

Studies have indicated that children of authoritative parents have better mental and physical health. They are more disciplined and always eager to learn new skills. Their positive and eager approach makes them more successful at every stage of their life.

Cons of Authoritative Parenting

Nothing can be without its drawbacks. Likewise, even authoritative parenting has its dark side. Few of the leading cons of authoritative parenting are:

Rebellion- A Natural Setback

Expectations of parents from the children are very clearly laid down in the authoritative parenting style. It can trigger a natural phase of rebellion, apathy, and anger amongst the children. It is more pronounced during the adolescent period of the children where they often fail to comprehend the reason behind the rules and the consequences of breaking them.

Patience from the parents and a strong parent-child bond is the way to come out of these trying times and set harmony back.

Difficult to Adapt

Authoritative parents have to take a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. They have to understand the needs of the child and adapt themselves at each stage accordingly. This constant need to understand their children’s needs and adapt accordingly can be stressful for any parent. Moreover, as parents, many would find it difficult to adapt themselves to ever-changing situations.

Difficult Implementation

Of all parenting styles, authoritative parenting is the easiest to discuss but the most difficult to implement. It requires an extra dose of patience and perseverance from the parents that can sometimes take a toll on them. The toll often increases ten-fold during the stubborn or angry stages of childhood.

More Responsibility

Authoritative parenting puts plenty of responsibility on the shoulders of the parents. They have to mandatorily take time out of their busy schedule and spend time with their children. They have to be more involved with their children and their activities. Out-of-the-box thinking and innovative solutions are often demanded from them. The responsibility can prove taxing and sometimes too much.

Continual Review and Refinement of Rules

Authoritative parenting is a rule-based style of parenting. However, the same rules do not hold valid throughout. Parents continuously need to review rules periodically, and modify it or change them to new rules based on their child’s needs and challenges.

Low Self-Esteem

Till now, we talked only about the drawbacks of the parenting style for parents. But it has its con for children as well. Because they have to abide by rules at all times, they might develop feelings of continuously being controlled. They might feel confined and restricted and feel deprived of their freedom. It can trigger negative feelings and emotions in the children that can adversely impact their development.

Wrapping up

We hope that by now, you clearly understand the concept of authoritative parenting. Tried and tested for generations, it remains one of the best parenting styles. Understanding authoritative parenting pros and cons would definitely help you become a much better parent for your child.

Level 4 gymnastics requirements | Age, Skills & Routines

By Kavi Ranjan

Gymnastics got official recognition in 1881. Currently, people appreciate it as a fine mixture of balance, strength, and precision for flawlessly executing critical acrobatic movements like twists, flips, and others. Level 4 is considered the first competitive level in gymnastics. Gymnasts must at least earn a minimum mobility score for advancing to Level 5 from level 4.

Level 4 in Gymnastics is a compulsory level. The gymnasts have to learn a particular routine for each event for competing at this level. The judgment of the gymnasts is done based on the way of execution of skills and how he or she performs the exact routine flawlessly.

So what are the level 4 gymnastics requirements!

In the USA gymnastics structure, Level 4 is the fourth level that can be entered by the gymnasts who have passed Level 3. As this level is compulsory, gymnasts have to compete in an identical routine. Certain skills are mandatory in the new compulsory routine.

The ideal age to enter Level 4 gymnastics:

A gymnast must be of at least 7 years old to be able to participate in the first competition.

Skills – level 4 gymnastics requirements:

Vault:

Front handspring

Beam:

Handstand
Cartwheel
Cartwheel to side handstand
¼ turn dismount
Split leap (120 degrees)
Split jump (120 degrees)

Bars:

Squat on
Straddle / Pike Glide kip
Back hip circle
Long hang kip
Cast to horizontal

Floor:

Front handspring (two feet)
Back walkover
Straddle jump with a split of 120 degree
Back extension roll
Round-off back handspring

How many hours a gymnast of Level 4 should practice?

4 to 5 days per week are okay for a Level 4 gymnast. 15 hours approx. is the average amount of hours required for a level 4 gymnast to practice. In fact, they can increase timing for practicing more and achieve perfection.

Again, timing can be broken as 3 hours per day in a week.

New Level 4 Gymnastics Program:

Today’s Level 4 (2013-2021) is the earlier Level 5 (2001 – 2013). The main skills are taken from earlier Level 5 are now used for generating new Level 4’s routine.

Now, there are only 5 compulsory levels and not 6. The new USAG Compulsory levels are from 1 to 5. The main elements from the earlier Level 1 and Level 2 are taken together to create a new Level 1 routine.

Level 4 is the starting of the advanced levels. Here, the gymnast is expected to expand each and everything he or she has learned till now in the program’s first phase. The balance beam skills involve various activities like career steps, partial hand stops, somersaults, split jumps, pivot spins, and side strips. Moreover, the gymnasts have to perform backbends, headstands, and advanced turns and jumps. This applies to all advanced levels including Level 4. The more advanced level it is, the tougher the activities become.

Additional things you must know:

Gymnasts can skip level 3 and straightaway participate in the competition at Level 4

As per UASG, it is not required for gymnasts to compete in Level 3 and progress to Level 4. They can skip the competition in Level 3 and directly advance to Level 4. There is one condition though. The gymnasts have to prove that they can demonstrate proper development of skills and ample prerequisites.

Tips for gymnasts to stay safe while practicing and competing:

Always get a sports physical done before you begin a new sport.

There should be a qualified program director and coach during every practice and competition.
The coach must remain updated about the current safety recommendations.
Do a warm-up and stretch without fail before starting your gymnastics practice and competition.
A coach must assist the gymnasts every time they are trying to do any difficult stunt.
A padded floor is a must for practice. Never ever try to do any stunt on a hard surface.
Take care of the mat and the equipment and check them to make sure if these things are in good condition.
Always inform the coach if you face difficulty in performing any movement. If the coach refuses to assist you, inform your parents or authorities in the administrative department.
Do not try to do any stunt all of a sudden by yourself without the supervision of your coach.
Do not do any new move in a competition that you haven’t done earlier or practiced enough.

You must follow certain gym rules:

One person should practice on the equipment at a time. Equipment includes rings, uneven bars, balance beam, etc.
Do not train alone, especially critical stunts.
Do not wear any jewelry during practice or competition.
One person should practice on a trampoline at a time.
No chewing gum is allowed during practice and competition.
Wear a gymnastics costume that won’t be stuck with any equipment.
If you get hurt or feel pain, stop training immediately.
Visit a doctor for regular physicals and medical check-ups. In fact, if you get hurt, going to a doctor for a check-up is very important.
Playing various sports throughout the year is crucial for preventing overuse injuries.
When you will jump into a foam pit, do land on feet, back or bottom. Do not attempt to land on your knees. Also, no diving headfirst is suggested.
Acquire knowledge about the team plan for emergency situations.

Know about gymnastics gear:

Gymnastics gears depend on the specification of the events.

Footwear:

Shoes usually contain a reinforced toe for helping pressure absorption during landing after a vault. Many gymnasts prefer wearing gymnasts’ shoes having rubber soles for protecting against slipping while performing on the balance beam.

Grips, wrist straps and guards:

Usually, male gymnasts make use of these gears on the still rings, parallel bars, and high bars; whereas female gymnasts wear these gears on the uneven bars. These gears help in improving the hold of the gymnasts on the apparatus. Also, gymnasts can be saved from blisters on their hands.

Most of the gymnastics grips contain a piece of leather connected to a wrist strap. There are other options that are wrapping hands in gauze or sports tape. It is compulsory for beginners to use tape, gauze, grips, etc. for protecting their hands from tearing and blistering.

Do not forget that beginners are basically children with very soft skin and body. They are prone to injury. Hence, safety gears are must for them as well as adults.

Spotting belts:

These belts hook into cables connected to the ceiling. Spotting belts provide support to the gymnasts when they learn something new or practice any difficult move.

Conclusion:

Level 4 is tougher than Level 1, 2 and 3. Again, this is the first advanced stage. Thus, the gymnast must be extremely careful. The coach, administrators, and parents should take this Level very seriously as the little gymnasts are entering the world of competition and gradually moving towards national and international championships. The activities will get more critical with the furtherance of the levels.

Level 3 gymnastics requirements | Age, Skills & Routines

By Kavi Ranjan

Jump off the beam, flip off the bars, follow your dreams and reach for the stars
Nadia Comaneci

Competitive gymnastics has several rules. One of the main rules is that gymnasts cannot skip any level. A little gymnast must qualify all the requirements of both level 1 and Level 2 for upgrading to Level 3.

Following are the level 3 gymnastics requirements.

What is the ideal age for entering Level 3?

Not only this, the gymnast must reach at least 5 years of age to start Level 3. The passing of the earlier levels ensure that the kid has the knowledge of fundamental skills that are crucial for learning the skills of Level 3 safely.

Though level 3 is not considered as competitive yet some gyms conduct intramural competitions for motivating the children.

In the USA, Level 3 is ideal for kids who are usually between 6 and 8 years old. They learn back handsprings, forward and back walkovers, and front tuck flips done on trampoline.

Restriction in age has been designed for protecting the gymnasts from injury. However, there is a confusion as some critics argue that the age restriction originated in order to forbid the junior gymnasts to compete in senior competitions.

General-purpose of Level 3 gymnastics:

Level 3 gymnastics allows the gymnasts to prepare for competition. The kids need to train 6 to 8 hours per week during Level 3. All kids who have entered Level 3 learn the compulsory routine. The music is also the same for all. They can compete at the local level. Again, the gymnasts can go for state championships.

Level 3 gymnastics requirements:

Vault:

Handstand flat back on stack mat
Handstand fall over barrel
Handstand arch to standing position
Tuck over
Straddle over
Jump off block to stick
Dive roll on stack mat

Rings:

Leg swings
Tuck sit
Support
L-hold
Inverted hang
Skin the cat pull up
Swing dismount

Floor:

Handstand forward roll
Handstand to bridge kickover
Split jump
Leap with split (90 degree)
Round off back handspring
Backward roll to push-up

Bars:

Front hip circle
Back hip circle
Mill circle or forward stride circle or single leg basket swing
Pullover
Single leg squat
Underswing dismount

High Bar:

Cast
Tap swing
Pullover
Chin up
Back hip circle
Leg lifts
Swing (1/2 turn)
Underswing dismount

Uneven bar:

Pullover
Cast
Forward side circle
Back hip circle
Leg cut
1 chin up
3 leg lifts
Piked glide swing
Single leg basket swing
Straight body lift to support
Squat to pike sole circle dismount

Parallel bars:

Support walk
Front support
Support and swing
Swings
Long hang swing
Turn (90 degree)
Straddle travel
Rear dismount

Beam:

Straight jump
Tuck jump
Leap with split (90 degree)
Handstand
Arabesque
Coupe walks
Jump front support mount
Side handstand dismount
Skipping
Passe turn (1/2)
Side releve turn
Cartwheel (handstand straddle down)
Cartwheel (handstand dismount)
Lunge to lunge

Pommel Horse:

Leg swings
Tuck hold

After learning all these required skills, a gymnast becomes ready for competing in a Level 3 meet.

How to avoid losing points:

It is very important to hold proper tight posture while doing a strong vertical handstand using your arms with simultaneous support to the handstand.

The most common reason for deduction at this level is failure of maintaining a straight body.

Single leg squat:

If you fail to display a straight line from the feet to shoulder with a hollow body positioning, 0.20 points will be deducted at the time of your routine.

Front hip circle:

You must maintain good control during the time of returning to the bar.

Single leg basket swing or mill circle:

Level 3 gymnasts face challenges while doing a perfect mill circle. You must steer clear of hooking your leg on the bar.

Underswing dismount:

You must maintain a tight posture by pulling your stomach tightly. Also, keep your shoulders flexible and head straight. Tilting your head backwards is wrong. If you fail to extend your body properly during flight, then the low height will result in 0.20 of deductions.

Remember:

Always do proper warm up that you have learnt in Level 2 and keep your mind refreshed. As a gymnast, you should get your muscle memory back before learning new skills.

Suggestion for gymnasts:

Both the kids and their parents must acquire detailed information regarding the way of training and the reason for that particular way of training.
Obtain a full introduction of training and competition.
Get helpful tips and advice from the experts, or seniors on practicing and competing.

Suggestion for coaches:

You must watch the programs used by national and elite level coaches for training gymnasts of Level 3.
Achieve a new perspective to coach gymnasts of Level 3.
Keep watching your gymnasts training consistently so that you can improve their performance.
Always keep your mind open for learning new things irrespective of your level of experience and coaching.

Suggestion for parents:

Gather all the needed information about Level 3 gymnastics starting from entrance to competition.
Know about your kid’s training part and how you can help him or her to accomplish each drill and skill.
Support your little level 3 gymnasts and monitor them so that they don’t waste months and years learning wrong things.

The mandatory part of gymnastics of all levels. ” The Gymnastics Mat”:

Purpose:

Gymnastics mats are meant for shock absorption for keeping gymnasts safe and healthy.
There are various types of mats that serve different purposes. It includes:
Creation of surface for absorbing the impact of flips and cartwheels.
The thicker gymnastics mat provides extreme shock absorption that results after a dismount from the uneven bars and balance beam.

High quality gymnastics mat helps in keeping gymnasts of any age comfortable. Again, good quality mats create a surface having an ideal amount of firmness to give the gymnasts a platform to perform their best. The mats lower the chance of injury to a great extent.

Most Common injuries suffered by gymnasts.

These are:

Elbow dislocation
Lower body injury
Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior (SLAP) Lesions in shoulder
Lower back problem
Wrist Sprains
Achilles tendon Injury
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

In gymnastics, the upper body of the gymnasts is used as a weight bearing joint. Hence, shoulder wrist and elbow injuries are very common.

How will you use the gymnast mat?

Firstly, buy mats keeping your kid’s activities in mind. Different activities lay different impacts on the body of a gymnast. Hence, gym mats of various thickness are required depending on the skills and levels.

Also, consider the height from where the gymnasts are supposed to land. Young kids in Level 3 are not allowed on high equipment like the students of advanced level. Hence, thinner mats are enough for them in respect to the shock absorption factor they need. But, in case a gymnast is involved in performing various skills including that of higher equipment, then purchase thicker mats.

Ways to prevent injury: Very important for Level 3 gymnasts

Wearing needed safety gears is crucial during practicing and competition. Specialized equipment include hand grips, wrist guards, footwear, pads, elbow and ankle braces.
If the gymnasts get hurt, take them to the doctor without wasting time.
Follow the instructions of the doctor until complete recovery.
Keep a first aid box handy at the practice area and during competitions.
Check equipment to make sure they are in perfect condition. These include mats, padded floor, etc.
Give stress on spotters while learning new skills.
Always warm up muscles by doing light aerobic exercises like running a bit, jumping jacks, etc. before starting training.

Conclusion:

Level 3 gymnasts must follow the entire suggestions religiously. Parents and coaches must take care of them every moment. Do not forget that they are progressing towards a critical competitive level.

Why do kids like cartoons? | 12 Reasons & Early warning signs

By Kavi Ranjan

Children of all ages are fond and are at times adamant to watch their favorite cartoons and animation movies. Animations and Motion pictures have become an inevitable part of their daily life. You might wonder why do kids like cartoons? What impact does a cartoon create on a child’s behavior and development?

Parents show nursery rhymes and stories available in cartoon forms, for various reasons in their child’s early development. The bright colors, mismatching shapes, funny voices, and comedic or weird character sketches with colorful attires attract the toddlers more than we know.

By watching animated tales like Frozen, Cinderella, Beauty, and the Beast, girls fantasize themselves being a princess, and boys get to imagine themselves as knights after watching Peter Pan, Aladdin, and so on.

Motion pictures now rule the television era, all thanks to the kids’ curiosity, observing things, and fast learning capability. Animated tales and cartoons can have both negative and positive influences on the cognitive development of children and their psychological behavior.

Why do kids like cartoons?

Kids like cartoons because cartoons create a fantasy world with extraordinary energy and superpower characters that kids can relate to and reverie to live. Special effects, storylines, sound effects, and technical aspects fascinate and engross them to a great extent.

Cartoons are developed to capture kids’ interest with simple fun and twists in the tale, hilarious voices, attractive colors, and life adventures. Cartoons narrate innocent stories and the victory tales of good over evil that imparts life lessons to kids.

Sound effects, songs, and futuristic environments with unrealistic visuals play a major role in attracting kids into their favorite imaginary world.

Superpowers, skills, physical appearance, and magic wand possessed characters and solving all problems by main characters in funny and tricky ways, and having a happy ending makes kids inseparable from cartoons.

A well-crafted cartoon scenario helps a child to learn positive and recoiling skills. Animated versions and tales can be an excellent entertainer and educator.

Cartoons and animated versions teach kids how to control their temperament, speak decently, help elders and the poor, listen to parents, and work with friends without jealousy. There are extremes when children get influenced the wrong way. Watching Television with parental supervision might keep the kids on the right track.

How do cartoons affect the psychological behavior of kids?

Cartoon characters and their mannerisms can diverge kids from the real world, increase the possibility of negative and aggressive behavior in them, and marginalize their cognitive mental processes.

Animated negative characters stimulate kids’ interpersonal behavior, social growth, and learning processes.

Spending long hours watching cartoons, kids gain the ability to imitate the behavior of the characters and events in real life. Children pick fights among friends in the class, one of the main reasons for their aggressive behavior could be the influence of violence based animated tales or negatively portrayed characters in cartoons.

Kids who are very engrossed in cartoons find difficulty in differentiating between reality and the fantasy world and affects their psychological development. A Child’s brain is tender during their developmental milestones, and is easily prone to form negative impressions. Parents should be selective in choosing the right shows to show.

12 Things on How cartoons positively affect children’s development:

Children who indulge in cartoons can have various positive effects on their behavior and developmental stages.

How animated visual cartoons can have a positive impact on children:

#1 Helps children to start learning early

There are educational cartoons that educate basic things like shapes, colors, alphabets, and numbers to the toddler in a simple, fun, and interactive way, making learning an enjoyable activity. Cartoon characters’ funny voices, moves, colorful visual effects, and talking pictures make learning more interesting, and attract toddlers to a great extent.

#2 Helps kids to explore and observe

Explorer cartoon characters make children curious to explore everything around their world, observe new things and the environment around them. Children try to put these fictional situations in real life and learn life the right way.

Each cartoon tale is fictional and their actions and environments are not real, but there are survival lessons hidden behind the characterization.

#3 Helps them reach their developmental milestones

Cartoons help your kids to develop cognitive skills, reasoning, and logic abilities, capture sustained and selective attention, and process auditory information.

#4 Helps children in language development

Cartoons help your children in developing linguistic ability by exposing them to different languages and cultures. When you allow kids to watch cartoons in their mother tongue, it helps them to learn and understand the language better. Cartoons improve your kid’s pronunciation and talking style.

#5 Enhances creativity and imagination

Cartoons develop their imaginative and creative knowledge, they start making up imaginative stories based on the cartoons they watch. They can even learn to make innovative art pieces when they see them being created in videos with sound effects and colors.

#6 Helps kids to maintain good health

The main motive of cartoons is to instill laughter and joy among the audience, no matter what age they are. With healthy laughing and learning, children can experience regulated blood circulation and stay active all day.

Some cartoon characters portray fitness freaks and have good physiques, which inspire kids to stay fit and cultivate good eating habits.

#7 Helpful in relieving stress

With humorous scenes, jokes, and joyful environment cartoon tales can reduce the possibilities of kids being moody for whatever reasons, and instantly puts a smile on their sad faces. As a scientific fact, Laughing increases the production of endorphins in the body that can keep the mind and heart-healthy all time.

No matter how your kid’s day goes at school, a few minutes of their favorite cartoon and snacks with you by their side can automatically lift their spirits.

#8 Helpful in learning visual effects and colors

A kid’s mind is a blank paper that can be filled with anything during their developmental milestones. With Visual mediums that capture their interest in seconds, children love learning through animated cartoons. Their interpretation of colors and shapes are wide when they learn through visual mediums.

Attractive colors, beautiful animations, and other settings enhance kids to differentiate colors accurately and help them to draw art pieces with wild imaginations.

#9 Helps kids learn difficult concepts easily

Cartoons help kids to learn about their country’s customs, history, traditions, language, and mythology very easily. By watching epic series like Ramayana and Mahabharata in animated versions, kids can easily know Indian mythology. There are historical animated tales that teach good morals, compassion, and kindness to your kids.

#10 Helps them in enhancing their speech ability

There are proven instances of cartoons and animations helping children with lesser speaking abilities convey and confess their thoughts and ideas more clearly and effectively. Cartoons can help them at places where parents get stressed enough not knowing what can help them in speaking fluently.

#11 Helps kids in getting along with friends and elders

Children learn from everything that happens around them. There are many single children who do not know how to get along with other kids owing to their family situations. Cartoons help them in getting along with new people and respecting new elders as well.

#12 Instills life values in children

Cartoons make the work of teaching children about life values like equality, loyalty, honesty, trust, compassion, and kindness easier than having had to explain them with exceeded talk and tasks.

There are always two sides to a coin. As much as there are positive effects of watching cartoons, there are still negative effects of watching animations without parental supervision.

Early warning of children watching exceeded cartoons:

Violence and aggression

Cartoons depict violence and encourage kids to become violent in their life. Cartoons also play an aggressive part, there are a lot of negative characters who perform aggressive roles. Kids are too small to differentiate between negative and positive roles, and easily get aggressive in real life.

Lack of empathy and unruly behavior

Some cartoons display rude and disobedient behavior towards their elders and teachers. Children get encouraged by watching cartoons and they start mimicking in front of their teachers or parents.

Improper Cartoons also use foul or unfit language for kids, they start to use bad language in daily life. It’s always okay to let your kids watch their favorite cartoons, except ensure that they are safe to watch and learn about.

Encourages anti-social behavior

Some cartoons encourage characters to be antisocial behavior and give wrong or negative messages to kids. Children think that it’s perfectly okay to behave spoiled, aggressive, and violent. As parents, it is always your responsibility to stay vigilant about what goes into your child’s head.

To avoid negative effects, parents should sit and watch television and animated versions of cartoons with kids. Spending quality time with kids increases your bonding time and observation level with your young ones.

Your Little one’s heart is pure, soft, and innocent with full of honesty, give your time when it is needed and direct them in the right way.

Benefits of gymnastics for children | Is it good for toddlers?

By Kavi Ranjan

Gymnastics is all about focusing on and coordination. Mere than a sport, it is an amalgamation of body and mind to let your body develop better consciousness and coordination. Today, this sport exercise has gained a lot of fame because of the endless benefits it comes with.

Not all parents are keen on letting their child pick up Gymnastics thinking how doing a backflip or forward roll is going to help them in life? Well, the answer to their question is No. It is not going to help them score number one in school or at work but, it will help them to do multiple skills at a time. They can lead to a better lifestyle which is way important than earning a six-figure salary.

so , what are the benefits of gymnastics for child!

Is Gymnastics right for your children?

It is a sport that needs immense dedication and coordination. Whether it is a sport or a school/career, children today are competing at a very young age. Their life has better exposure than going to school and doing homework. They are seen participating in various competitions, enrolling in various activities clubs, adventuring by joining different camps, and so on. Regular physical activities do help your child from health problems but gymnastics will help them in the long run by keeping obesity at bay, no diabetes, and heart-related problems.

What are the benefits of gymnastics for children?

No wonder, every mommy wants their child to enroll in a gymnastic class. That’s great. But before you go ahead, let you read in detail all about gymnastics and whether it is good for toddlers?

Gymnastics is great for health and overall well-being

Regularly participating in a gymnastic class, your child can have a range of health benefits such as improved cognitive skills, better coordination, fitness, and prevent heart-related issues in the long run.

Determination and discipline

To achieve something in life, it is important to have determination and discipline and that’s what gymnastics teaches your child.

Kids learning gymnastics are found to be driven by determination. The sport is helping children learn about what is hard working, positive attributes and how to bring determination and discipline is their lives;

Confidence and self-esteem

Gymnastics is one of the sports that helps in boosting self-confidence in kids. There is a sense of confidence when your child masters the skill – the self-confidence skills. As they start towards advanced classes, your children learn to handle intense challenges and tackle them methodically. This boost in their self-confidence aids them in their daily lives where they learn to face their fears and build skills on how to handle them.

Learns to overcome their fears

Performing gymnastics is not easy. It involves a lot of muscle movements that are tough and challenging. It is obvious for a child to develop a fear. The coach at the gymnastic center encourages kids to talk about their fear so that they can help you get through. Their primary agenda is to work on their fears and help them build confidence that they can do it. The coach approach matters a lot when it comes to coping with fears and helping children on how to overcome such situations. This in the long term encourages your children to try new things with the confidence that they can handle any situation that life throws.

Help them set goals

The capacity to have an athletic, flexible kind of body can’t be built overnight. It requires an immense level of dedication, determination, and discipline. The sport teaches your kids to set goals and hard work to put in to achieve those goals. During the process, your child learns to manage the challenges, and most importantly how to stay calm under the stress.

Long term health benefits

Gymnastics offer long term health benefits when your child is enrolled for continuous classes. The health issues remain at bay and the sport helps fine-tune the body and mind. It improves focus, along with letting your child have a fit body even when he is growing up.

It helps develop sportsman spirit

Gymnastics is a solo sport however it does involve group learning activities. Thus, helping your child learn to develop sportsman spirit and how to remain positive even when he/ she is losing. Furthermore, it also teaches to cheer their peers along with understanding what healthy competition is all about. Additionally, honing their social skills through interactions that happen in the class. This way they learn to compete and cheer up when they lose.

It is a fun activity

Kids are naturally drawn towards activities that are fun doing like flipping, jumping, free fall, tumbling, swinging, and so on. Gymnastics is all about that. Channelize their hyper by enrolling them into regular gymnastic classes. It is a great fun activity, where your child will learn many good things than just knowing the sport.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Gymnastics

There is no proven evidence but it has been believed that girls’ puberty is delayed. Because of the excessive dieting and a lot of strain to get it right, girls experience stunted growth.
Because gymnastics is all about getting a perfect flexible body which is only possible through a vigorous diet. There is no room for curviness hence it has been seen that children tend to develop eating disorders.
It is a high-impact sport, which means children are prone to get injuries often while learning. Muscle pains, broken bones are normal.
At times children are seen developing psychological effects of gymnastics. The sport requires having a vigorous regime of getting everything perfect from posture to the movements that can hurt their self-esteem. Coaches’ aggressive training methods impacting psychologically on your child’s mind.

What Are The Safety Measures That Parents Require Ensuring Their Child Safety?

Below-mentioned is the tips to remember:

Know that your child is interested in gymnastics. If he/she is not keen to join, let them understand the benefits of gymnastics and why it is important.
Not all body types are made for this vigorous exercise. If your child is prone to injuries it is a hint that it may not suit them. Discuss this with the coach and they will guide you on how you can start with the sport.
Your child must learn under a certified coach. Find a reputed gymnastic center for your child. Check the reviews and feedback before enrolling. The reputed gymnastic center will have certified and knowledgeable coaches who know a fine way of tuning with kids.
Make sure that your child learns the basics thoroughly before advancing to the next level. This can prevent severe injuries. Also, the coaches teach on how to deal with those injuries and recover to get back into the game.

Myths Busted About Kids Joining Gymnastics

Parents think that gymnastics is for strong and flexible bodies. Well, this is completely baseless. The earlier your child joins the gymnastics class the better his/her body leaves the stiffness.
Most of the parents think that is not a sport to pursue as it does not have much of a career graph. Well, it all depends on how one takes it. By participating your child in various competitions he/she can make a career out of it.
Parents think that twisting, swinging, jumping, balancing, and such bodily movements can injure their child severely thus thinking that it is a dangerous sport.
It is a girl sport, a prevailing myth-making round about gymnastics which is completely untrue. Nowadays, boys too are showing keen interest in joining this amazing coordination building sport. This further helps them in pursuing other sports like baseball, football, etc.

FAQs

When should my child start gymnastics?

Like most other sports, there is not any specific age to start gymnastics. You can join a gym at any age to practice for becoming a gymnast. There are classes based on various age groups. From as early as 18 months of age.

Is gymnastics bad for the body?

No. It is a myth that people carry around the sport. Regular participation provides innumerable health benefits to all age-group children. In the long run, it prevents chronic illness like blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related problems

Can gymnastics cause scoliosis?

Gymnastics does not cause scoliosis, however, an intense range of muscular motion can be the reason. The coach is the best person to guide your child, ensuring such things don’t happen.

Can gymnastics cause arthritis?

People who have done gymnastics from a young age and have been careful with their body movements have minimum or zero complaints of developing arthritis. Mostly the arthritis impact is seen in their back muscles, wrists, ankles, and knees. But, with proper diet and good care, this can be prevented.

Closing Thoughts

Gymnastics is suitable for children of all age-groups. However, it is recommended that you start with the younger which can be 5 years. Let your child explore the possibilities and have fun especially if you have a hyper kid. It is one of the best ways to channelize their enthusiasm where along with they learn to get disciplined, determined, and focused which are important elements of a successful life.