The Benefits of Capoeira for Children
Capoeira for children is one of the most important sports alternatives. Not only because it provides recreation and entertainment, but also because it optimizes the psychomotor development of children. How could this dance of the native peoples of America not pique the curiosity of your children?
Beyond the musical rhythms, the type of acrobatics, and the extravagant movements, it’s likely that your children will be infected with an unparalleled desire to try this activity. For this reason, we want to tell you everything about it so that you can decide if it’s right for your little ones.
Capoeira, a bit of history
Before delving into the benefits of capoeira for children, let’s learn a little about its history.
Its origins date back to the time of colonization of the current Brazilian territory by the Portuguese. At that time, these rhythms emerged as an alternative for the natives to exercise, as such activity was prohibited for them.
But because indigenous cultural rituals were generally unrestricted and respected by the settlers, the slaves took it upon themselves to hide their fighting moves within dance and music.
Starting in 1972, capoeira was named and approved as a sport by the Parliament of Deputies in Brazil. And today, it stands out as the second most important sport in the country of Rio de Janeiro, after soccer.
Capoeira for children: Its benefits
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, music, and fighting. That’s why it captures the interest of children, who can also practice it without problems.
Regular exercise of this activity provides a series of key benefits for the psychomotor development of children. For this reason, we advise you to motivate your children to try it. Below, we’ll show you the most relevant benefits it offers. Take note!
1. Capoeira for children improves the ability to react
The technical gestures of capoeira are based on reaction, that is, on mastering the time that elapses between a stimulus and its response.
With the regular practice of sport, children optimize their reaction capacity. However, this work requires time and a lot of discipline. Therefore, this benefit is evident in the medium term in children of all ages. However, older ones manage to master the more complex techniques more quickly than the younger ones.
2. Increases movement speed
This is one of the main benefits of capoeira for children and is related to the ability to react. The difference is that this ability refers to the time it takes for the individual to perform any type of movement, without the need for a previous stimulus.
The speed of movements is also strengthened as the technical gestures linked to the sport are executed. Kicks are perhaps one of the most important tools to enhance this skill.
3. Helps maintain balance
The development of balance is highly relevant in the lives of children and this ability is highly stimulated during the practice of capoeira.
Regarding young children, between 4 and 6 years old, the work focuses on static balance. Over the years and with the regular practice of this sport, balance exercises become more dynamic, although both types are encouraged at the same time.
To contribute to the stimulation and development of this physical capacity, both the postures and the movements of capoeira must be increasingly complex. However, this is only achieved through perseverance.
4. Capoeira for children favors coordination
Capoeira for children is responsible for promoting the development of coordination, one of the most valuable physical abilities of human beings.
If you stop to analyze the technical gestures of this sport, you’ll be able to perceive the importance of coordination at a general level. Every blow and every dance step must be properly executed.
Despite this, it’s normal for children to show noticeable shortcomings in terms of coordination at the beginning. But this improves with discipline, perseverance, and regularity of practice.
5. Develops social relationships and improve self-esteem
Capoeira for children doesn’t only focus on the physical benefits but also emphasizes the psychological and social aspects of little ones.
So, if your child plays this sport, it’s likely that their self-perception will improve, as will their self-esteem and happiness.
At the same time, Capoeira is usually carried out in academies that train several children at the same time. Therefore, it’s possible that the interpersonal relationships of the little ones are greatly favored.
Motivation and supervision as central axes of capoeira for children
Beyond the many benefits exposed by capoeira for children, the goal is to constantly motivate and supervise your children. So, although the sport is to your liking, its safety must be the most relevant point for you.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Barcala, R. (2006). Fundamentos didácticos de la iniciación a la capoeira en el área de Educación Física. Revista digital Buenos Aires. https://www.efdeportes.com/efd103/capoeira.htm
- Ríos, E. (2015). La capoeira como herramienta de inclusión social e innovación educativa: Una propuesta para la asignatura de Educación Física. Estudios pedagógicos (Valdivia). https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0718-07052015000300013
