THE AWESOME BENEFITS WHEN KIDS PLAY SPORTS

1. THE AWESOME BENEFITS WHEN KIDS PLAY SPORTS Whether they play in a backyard scrimmage or formal competitions, playing sports provide kids with benefits that go far beyond their physical health. Today, it is known that when kids play sports it enhances a child’s social skills as well as their academic performance. As your child runs, kicks and jumps, you can smile with the knowledge that your son or daughter is also gaining skills that will ensure they enjoy a bright future. LEADERSHIP SKILLS Knowing that their one shot could win or lose the game can be a lot of pressure for a kid. But kids who play sports learn to stand up and take the lead by making snap judgments. Should I swing the bat or let the ball go by? Shoot for the basket or pass the ball to someone else? With each call they make, their decision-making skills are strengthened. And, over time, this helps kids move up in their sport to take on positions such as team captain that further reinforces their leadership skills. SENSE OF BELONGING Singing songs on the team bus, helping a player up after a fall and celebrating a win all reinforce the bonds that form between members of a team. Playing a sport gives kids a chance to spend time with others their age who share the same interest. This sense of camaraderie also helps kids to shake off stress and maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.

2. IMPROVED ACADEMICS Sports and academics may seem like completely different activities, yet they both influence each other. For example, a child who releases some of their energy out in practice will be better able to pay attention in class. Keeping score, figuring out the angle needed to make a goal and keeping up with their stats also reinforce mathematical skills. While the benefits of playing sports can go on and on, most parents find that the biggest advantage of their child playing a sport is that he or she learns self-discipline. In every type of sport, kids must work continuously to build and maintain their skills and this requires a lot of focus. Learning to set goals and work every day to accomplish them is one benefit that can be applied to almost every aspect of a child’s life.