4 Reasons Kids Should Play Sports
Participating in sports at a young age isn’t about the glory. Youth sports is about the look of pride in kids eyes when their new uniforms are unboxed, and they suit up for a team for the very first time. It’s about that sense of being part of something more than the sum of its parts, and challenging themselves to do things they once thought impossible.
Youth sports programs across the nation are designed to be about much more than physical fitness. With the right coach, being on a youth sports team has a positive impact on their emotional, social, and mental development that lasts long after they’ve stepped off the field.
Here are a few reasons why you should sign your child up for a youth sports team:
1. Helps with Social Skills
As kids grow, it’s important for them to foster social skills and social independence. Without these skills, they’ll be ill-equipped for a world filled with people who challenge them and conflict with their opinions.
A sports team is a great way to build independence in a fun, safe environment. Sometimes, they won’t get along with everyone on their team. But being able to deal with people who they don’t get along with in order to achieve their goal is a valuable lesson that they’ll be thankful for years down the line.
Youth sports also offers plenty of opportunities for them to exercise patience and respect for others. It’s very easy to get frustrated when your team is losing, especially when someone else “isn’t pulling their weight.” Coaching your kids to pull each other up when someone is struggling will go a long ways towards teaching them the value of teamwork.
2. Teaches them Accountability
Being on a sports team means holding themselves accountable for their performance. As an athlete, the only thing they’re in full control of their own body, and it’s up to them to put in the work to make sure they’re performing to their best ability.
Being on a sports team helps them understand their responsibilities. It’s up to them to communicate with their coach and express their needs in order to grow and improve as a player.
3. Gives them the Confidence to Learn from Their Mistakes
Sports gives kids a valuable opportunity to experience failure and learn from their mistakes. Having the confidence to persevere and work harder after a loss is one of the greatest lessons that comes from being on a sports team.
Playing competitive sports is challenging and punishing. Even the greatest athletes in the world make mistakes, miss goals, and lose games sometimes. Having the patience and personal drive to stick it out through the failures will help them understand the value of hard work.
4. Makes them well-rounded leaders
Playing sports helps kids develop the ability to work with others in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment. Being part of a team teaches them about the importance of good communication and helps them form stronger decision-making skills.
Perhaps most importantly, being on a youth sports team teaches kids about balancing their competitive spirit with good sportsmanship. Youth sports is able to create truly great leaders by showing them the power of competition as a motivational tool, and challenging them to retain a positive attitude.
Those who rise to the task are able to uplift others and become future leaders.
