Learning Life Lessons: The Reason for Youth Sports
The chances of a child’s playing college- or professional-level sports are better than winning the lottery but not by much. Though the dream of playing professionally motivates many young players, parents should be clear that the goal of youth sports is about building better kids, not about building a career.
Kids active in sports are more likely to:
- Avoid regular or heavy smoking
- Avoid drugs
- Stay in school
- Have good conduct
- Attain high academic achievement
For girls in particular, the benefits of playing sports can be tremendous. Girls playing sports:
- Like themselves more
- Have more self-confidence
- Suffer less depression
- Have a 60 percent lower likelihood of breast cancer
- Have fewer unwanted pregnancies
These benefits come from the fact that sports teach many life lessons. Active parent involvement gives parents the best chance of shaping these lessons for their kids. Life lessons from sports can include:
- Respecting others (including opponents)
- Exercising self-discipline
- Playing fairly
- Being a good winner
- Being a good loser
- Developing teamwork and trust
- Overcoming challenges and frustrations
- Learning to deal with constructive criticism
- Responding positively to disappointments
- Building health and physical fitness
- Feeling the pride of accomplishment
- Taking responsibility for mistakes
- Showing leadership
- Making friends
- Learning to resolve conflicts
- Learning to deal with stress
- Setting goals
- Following rules
These life lessons benefit kids in whatever course they set in life. They provide parents with strong incentives to motivate their kids to play longer, whether or not these efforts land their kids scholarships or contracts.
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Sports Esteem for the above article.
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