This past fall, my husband and I put both of our children in sports. My son played baseball and my daughter was a cheerleader for a football team. They both loved it. This Spring, my son is playing baseball again and my daughter is trying softball. It is always so busy during the season, but we love it. And here are some reasons why I think having your child participate in team sports is essential.
Here are just a few of the many benefits that your child can enjoy when they participate in a team sport:
Develops Self-Esteem
A high-five, pat on the back, thumbs up, or even a nod of approval – these are simple gestures that can help build confidence in kids. Often these are given from teammates and coaches when they want to recognize someone for a job well done. Kids also develop self-confidence the more they learn about themselves and their abilities.
Helps Encourage Regular Exercise
When kids play sports, they probably don’t even realize how much healthier they are becoming. They are building stamina and endurance. Their hearts are getting healthier thanks to all the aerobic activity, and they’re maintaining a healthy body weight which will help them ward off diseases associated with obesity. It's also a natural stress reliever!
Teaches Leadership Skills
While team sports require team effort, kids still learn about leadership. They learn about responsibility as they recognize the vital roles they play on their team. Leadership isn’t always about who is the best or on top, leadership is about being accountable for your actions and being a role model for sportsmanship.
Builds Teamwork
The ability to work well with others is a skill that youth athletes will learn playing sports and they will bring it with them throughout their entire lives. It will benefit them when they get older and prove to be beneficial when they have to work with others at their jobs.
Build Stronger Relationships
Because of the social aspect of team sports, kids learn how to handle themselves better in social situations. They develop a sense of camaraderie and community, allowing them to maintain and nurture stronger relationships.
Acquire Critical Thinking Skills
Sportsmen and women often have to adapt to rapidly changing situations, to weigh up their options and make a final decision. The benefit for children from developing their problem-solving skills transcends sport. These kinds of problem-solving skills have countless applications beyond sports. They give kids a skill-set they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
Become Better Communicators
Team sports put them in many social situations where they need to express themselves. Because team sports promote teamwork and foster relationships, kids also become better at communicating. And because sports also instill self-esteem, children not only communicate better but they do so with confidence.
Teaches Respect
Sports don’t just teach kids the fundamentals of playing, but it also instills respect for authority and rules. At a very young age, children who play sports learn the consequences that come with not following the rules. They are taught to respect their coaches who guide them and the officials who work to ensure the games are fair. They also learn good sportsmanship and to treat their opponents respectfully, win or lose.
Teaches Time Management
Youth athletes have been observed to be better students. Through sports, kids learn about time management and discipline. Teammates often support each other on and off the field, helping one another keep track of schedules and academic responsibilities.
Teaches Humility
This is often an overlooked trait but one that’s vital. Shaking hands with your opponents, the referee and the opposition coach after each game is a simple way of showing some humility. Win or lose players should behave in the same way as they thank their opponents for the game.
Do your children play sports?
I’m a firm believer in children feeling their oats in different activities, including sports! We raised four daughters and each one was involved in a few activities. So are my grandkids! Two of our girls excelled at sports. Unfortunately they had to learn a lesson in humility! Plus they got to meet new friends and hangout socially. Your information is right on the money and I had to pin this! Thank you so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI would love for my children to be involved in sports.
ReplyDeleteMy three oldest grandchildren have been in sports since pre-school. Soccer for him and dance and tumbling for the girls. Now they are deciding for summer. He wasn't thrilled with football and I was hoping he would stop before Tag ended and touch started. The girls were in soccer again then cheer leading. It definitely helps their confidence and promotes exercise which our children need more than ever
ReplyDeleteTeam sports are important! my daughter plays informally since she couldn't play soccer her freshman yr due to a torn meniscus but she plays at school now on an informal team and everyone plays from the best to the worst, and everyone respects each other and also they realize it is ok if you lose.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who works in recreation I truly appreciate this post and agree!
ReplyDeleteThese are such great reasons! I really encourage my kids to try all kinds of things... sports and other extracurricular. I think they can learn so much from having to work with others. I think the hardest lesson for my crew is that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but its how you play that counts.
ReplyDeleteMy kids were always involved in some type of team sport through high school. It was good for learning team work and discipline.
ReplyDeleteMy nephews really enjoy team sports, like baseball or basketball. My niece occasionally plays team sports but seems to prefer solo endeavors like piano.
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