As parents, we want our kids to learn all these great skills and hobbies to grow up to be the best version of themselves. While others look to academics, some parents look into sports. 

One sport that’s great for kids? Tennis!

Now, you might be wondering what age kids can start playing tennis, so we decided to do the research for you and give you the answer, plus a lot more. Read on to find out!

Benefits of Starting Tennis Lessons for Kids Early

There are a lot of great benefits to starting tennis lessons for kids early, and we want you to be sure with your decision to do that.

So, before we reveal what age you should get them started with tennis lessons, here’s what you need to know:

 

Your Kids Will Become Naturals

Starting early with tennis lessons means that your child will have enough time to properly learn the proper strokes and footing until it becomes muscle memory for them. This will set a perfect foundation for them as they play tennis throughout their life.

 

Their Visual-Motor Coordination Improves

Through tennis, the visual-motor skills of your child improve. Keeping your eyes on the ball and hitting it simultaneously can be really challenging for some. Visual-motor coordination is a whole other playground, but when your child starts doing tennis lessons consistently, the better they will get with locating the ball and hitting it right on the spot.

Why is that such a great thing? Visual-motor skills are helpful for the following:

• Sports
• Eye-hand coordination skills
• Eye-foot coordination skills
• Bilateral coordination
• Body awareness
• Copying visual information, 
• Reading
• Drawing
• Lining up math problems

And the list goes on and on!

 

Their Tactical Thinking is Honed

Tennis is a game of wits and tactics; placement of the ball is key to winning, and predicting your opponent’s next move can help you win a match. Imagine your child learning to think of strategies like that at an early age! Tactical thinking? Check!

 

Teaches Kids Tolerance, Respect, and Discipline

As with any sport, you learn to become a respectful and disciplined individual. The same will go for kids learning tennis. Discipline because you have to commit to learning and respect yourself and your coach. Tolerance can also be learned because, with tennis, your kids won’t learn ALL the strokes and footing on the first day. It’ll take time. And them understanding that it takes time teaches them about patience and tolerance.

 

Keeps Them Healthy

Tennis is also a physical sport involving a lot of movement. What’s so great about it is that you don’t notice how much you are moving when playing. For kids, sweating and getting to move around is a great way to keep them healthy! In the age when technology reigns supreme, learning tennis gives your kids the physical exercise they need to grow bigger and stronger.

 

The Best Age To Start Tennis Lessons and Training

Now that we've cleared the benefits, you’re probably excited to get your kids started with tennis lessons!

So what age is best to start tennis lessons for kids?

 

The Recommended Age

The recommended age for kids to start learning tennis is 5 to 6-years-old. At this age, they have the focus to learn but also are young enough to enjoy the game still.

If they start earlier than 4, your kid might be too young to understand what’s happening or what they’re supposed to do. However, it still depends on your kids' skill level, too. Coordination, socialization, and psychomotricity will all play a role in determining what age they can start. But at five years old, it's at this age that they can hold the racquet properly, have the ability to control the direction of the ball, and expect the moment the racket hits the ball. It's also the age when children have the necessary attention to adapt to the demands of tennis and the conditions of the classes.

Of course, you can bring your 2 to 4-year-olds to the court to introduce them to the environment and the look of tennis. It might also help them get interested in the sport in the future.

 

Making Tennis Lessons Something Your Kids Will Enjoy

Now, remember. Your kids are still young. The most important thing is to let them enjoy tennis and everything it offers.

Here’s how you can achieve that:

 

Make Sure It’s Fun

The last thing you want to do is discourage your kid and make them think they’re not progressing fast enough. So keep it FUN:

• Praise them when they get things right.
• If you need to correct them, do so in an encouraging way.
• Create countable goals for the kids. Something like hitting five balls perfectly in a row.
• Treat them after lessons. Get ice cream or a milkshake, or give them cookies for a well-done job!

 

Keep It Short and Simple

Don’t overdue the tennis lesson. Coaches will recommend thirty minutes to an hour of coaching and classes. Kids have short attention spans, and if you train them for 2 hours or more, you’re just wearing them out mentally and physically.

 

Get Them the Right Equipment

Make sure your kids are prepared to play tennis by giving them the right equipment. In fact, let them join in and shop for the gear they’d like. Checking out the Street Tennis Club’s collection of rackets for kids is a great way to get them interested in the sport, paired with the different kids’ tennis apparel we have.

Final Thoughts

You want your children to have fun and feel good about themselves. Tennis is an excellent way for them to achieve this. Start them young and watch them grow to love tennis and all it offers. Take it a step further and make tennis a family thing that everyone can get into learning and playing.

Are you looking to get the right tennis equipment and apparel for your little ones? Check out what Street Tennis Club offers here.