Team sports are a great way to get children physically fit, stay active, and make friends. They also help children develop key skills that can be used for a lifetime of success.
Commitment, training and setting goals
In team sports, kids learn that commitment, dedication, delayed gratifications, and hard work go hand-in-hand to reach an end goal. These important life lessons are invaluable for children to understand as they grow up and face the challenges of adolescence.
Losses teach accountability
In sports, losing is part of the game and a necessary part of learning to improve. Taking losses in team sports and not dwelling on them but turning them into unique learning moments can be an essential lesson that kids will take with them for their entire lives.
Social Norms and Behavioral Regulation
Sport teams create norms for the behavior of members and monitor their conformity to these rules on a continuous basis (Carron, 1988). These norms establish a set of expectations about how much effort players are expected to exert during competitions. Athletes who conform to these standards are rewarded with verbal appreciation, greater group acceptance, and a higher sense of belonging.
Individuals who do not conform to these rules are punished. Inappropriate behavior may be sanctioned through verbal criticism, ostracism, physical abuse or expulsion from the team.
Whether you choose to play basketball, baseball or football, playing team sports can have an impact on your child’s life for the rest of their lives. They can help develop the skills needed for success in their adulthood and beyond, and can help keep them healthy and happy as they age.
