Signing kids up to play sports can offer a multitude of benefits that can aid in their overall health and development. Beyond the physical aspect that forces them to get off the couch and get active, it also lets them branch out from their shell, make new friends, learn new skills as well as some important life lessons, like how to work together as a team. If you’re wondering why are team sports important for your child, here are a few more great ways that it can benefit your child’s development.
Boosts Their Self-Confidence
Signing your kids up for soccer, hockey or whatever their preference is can be time-consuming and costly for parents, but what your kids will gain from it makes it a worthwhile investment. It’s always a challenge when you’re learning something new, and as a kid, it teaches you to be humble during that process. By attending practices and getting encouragement from their coach and teammates, they get to learn quickly, share their accomplishments with their team, and boost their self-confidence in the process.
Aids In Critical Thinking Skills
Being a part of a team also aids in the development of critical thinking skills. In fact, it’s been linked to better concentration and improved academic performance. It’s also helpful for the development of coordination and physical literacy, where they can learn to master their own physical movement more easily.
Teaches Them Valuable Life Lessons
When you play on a sports team and learn to work with others to achieve a common goal as a child, it has a profound effect as they continue to grow. This helps to establish some fundamental life lessons, like understanding that the world isn’t always fair and that the best thing you can do sometimes is to pick yourself up and keep going with the help of your teammates.
Encourages Them To Unplug More
Kids these days are essentially always looking at one screen or another, even before they can say their first word. This has shown to have some significant impacts on their physical health, mental health, and the ability to socialize. That’s why team-based sports are more important than ever. As parents, we need to create more balance for them (even if they resist it) so they can remember to look up and engage more with the world around them.
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