Exciting summer sports courses for students

Students in a pickleball practice session - Photo: THANH VUONG

Especially in the summer of 2025, many new and useful sports will certainly become a choice worth considering for many parents.

Pickleball fun

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vuong's pickleball class in Da Lat City ( Lam Dong ) recruits summer students for two groups based on their aptitude: children who already have a foundation and children who are learning from the beginning. Mr. Thanh Vuong said that children who register for classes are usually between 6 and 16 years old. Before summer, children study about two sessions per week on Saturday and Sunday. During the summer, the center can add one more session per week, from 9am to 11am.

According to records, most pickleball centers that teach students this summer have equipped the fields and age-appropriate training equipment for the children. Parents will prepare their own shirts, shoes, rackets, etc.

Each lesson at the center consists of a 15-minute warm-up, followed by basic techniques and group practice. Teachers turn lessons into games for children to compete against each other. Occasionally, the centers organize internal tournaments, with small prizes to encourage children to participate.

Since opening the class, Mr. Vuong said he has received interest from many parents who bring their children to the class, and the demand has increased since the summer. Mr. Vuong said that parents initially sent their children to the class only hoping that their children would limit their phone use. Moreover, the children get to meet many new friends, have the opportunity to play and exercise every day.

"Compared to outdoor sports or high-risk sports, many parents find pickleball to be an indoor sport, with few injuries but still sweats a lot and is highly active," he shared.

Martial arts and swimming are popular.

Self-defense is also a subject that many parents are interested in when considering summer sports for their children. At a self-defense class at the Phu Nhuan District Sports and Cultural Center (HCMC), children practice punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbowing exercises. The exercises are compiled not only to focus on self-defense skills but also to increase height, lose weight, prevent hunchback, train breathing, and support circulation for children.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Chau - teacher at Phu Nhuan District Sports and Culture Center - said that the interesting thing about martial arts is that it trains and improves memory. "Learning martial arts through exercises requires you to memorize, and often a lot. Memorizing the lessons to perform the correct techniques also stimulates the development of your brain," said Mr. Chau.

Teacher Chau said that in addition to basic exercises, potential students will be trained and taught additional close-quarter self-defense techniques, bag-punching practice, etc. Children as young as 3 years old can learn martial arts and become familiar with basic techniques. "Learning martial arts is also a way to practice confidence in daily life," he said.

After 8 years of operation, Mr. Chau's summer classes have an average of 1,000 students, increasing each year. "The demand for martial arts has not decreased. This summer I am in charge of 11 classes, each student attends an average of two sessions per week," Mr. Chau shared.

A martial arts practice session of young people in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TRONG NHAN

Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong is the head of a sports club in Phu Nhuan district. For those learning to swim for the first time, he said he will usually teach them the breaststroke. After they can swim 25m and stand in the water, the teachers will teach them other skills such as freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly if they want.

For children aged 6 and up, Mr. Duong said that many parents send their children here with the main purpose of wanting them to learn how to swim, especially how to swim properly. "Swimming is a sport that requires high technique, if practiced incorrectly it can affect life," he said.

According to Mr. Duong, one of the mistakes parents make when letting their children learn to swim is that they get discouraged when they see that their children get sick easily, especially in the summer weather. He advises: "The nature of the subject is that children have to soak in water for at least one hour a day. For those who are not used to it, minor illnesses are inevitable. Many parents blame the teacher when their children learn about fever, cough, and runny nose, but gradually their resistance will get used to it."

According to him, learning to swim is not just a matter of passion, but also a survival skill. "Parents should pay more attention to these skills in their children, especially during the free summer, when they can give their children more opportunities to experience and develop their own life skills, protecting them in the future," he shared.

Let your children play sports in the summer, what should you keep in mind?

Mr. Ly Dai Nghia - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Training and Competition Center - said that practicing sports in the summer is a golden opportunity for comprehensive physical development, especially for children and teenagers in the growth stage.

Regular physical activity for eight weeks or more helps stimulate growth hormone, enhance bone and muscle development and support height improvement. At the same time, regular exercise helps children improve endurance, strength, motor coordination and build an active, healthy lifestyle from an early age.

According to him, the three important factors to optimize maximum height are physical exercise, nutrition and adequate sleep. Therefore, in addition to exercise, parents need to ensure the nutritional content of their children's meals and adequate sleep habits.

Regarding the choice of subjects, he noted that to develop optimal height, in the pre-puberty age group (before 12 years old), one should mainly choose sports and exercises related to speed, flexibility, and suppleness, and avoid maximum strength exercises and muscle-building exercises that will limit the child's height development.

Summer weather is often hot, so it is recommended to practice during cool hours (early morning or late afternoon), avoiding the time frame from 10am to 4pm. He advised parents to pay attention to timely water and electrolyte supplementation, and choose cool and suitable sportswear for children.

Children also need to get enough sleep, have time to rest and should not over-exercise. "In addition, sports should be combined with relaxing activities, light learning, group activities, and collective coordination to help children develop harmoniously in terms of physical, mental, intellectual and social communication skills this summer," he advised.

Choose the right class for your age

Mr. Huynh Cong Danh - a pickleball coach in District 3 - suggests that when sending their children to study, parents should choose a class that is age-appropriate with a coach who has experience in instructing children. Equipment such as rackets, balls and shoes should also be selected properly - light, easy to hold and safe. Each class should only last 30 - 45 minutes, avoiding overtraining, especially for children who are just starting out.

Parents should also pay attention to teaching their children to warm up properly, drink enough water if playing outdoors, and avoid letting children play on slippery surfaces. "More importantly, do not put too much emphasis on achievements or force children to compete too early. Instead, consider pickleball as a physical activity that helps children exercise healthily, increase self-confidence, and develop social skills," said Mr. Danh.

For a meaningful summer

Dr. Nguyen Hong Phan - Deputy Dean of Education Faculty, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University

Dr. Nguyen Hong Phan - Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University - said that summer activities should be selected based on the real needs and desires of students, instead of being imposed according to parents' perspectives or social expectations.

Respecting interests and personal development goals will help students have a meaningful summer, promoting their abilities and initiative.

However, many parents are hesitant when choosing a center to organize summer activities because there are too many units advertising loudly, making it difficult to evaluate their reputation.

Some recommended criteria include: consulting with experienced parents, prioritizing centers under the Youth Union, children's houses - places with clear legal basis and clear educational orientation, and choosing centers that have been operating for many years and have a reputation in the community. Choosing the right place to send students will contribute to helping them have a positive and safe summer experience.

HO THI NHUONG

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TRONG NHAN - KY PHONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/soi-dong-cac-khoa-the-thao-he-cho-hoc-sinh-2025052123032486.htm