As a kid, many of us played recreational sports. Basketball, baseball, football, soccer, swimming, etc. We did it for the fun, not ever realizing the benefits it would bestow upon us growing into adults.
Benefits of Sports on Kids
The most obvious reason sports help kids is the physical activity. This constant and consistent physical activity from a sport not only helps to keep a child healthy on the outside, but the inside as well. Sports have been proven to help children's brain grow from several aspects:
- Sports require concentration, helping kids think and get smarter without even realizing it.
- Sports lift up your mood, helping kids to be more willing to learn at school knowing they have practice later that day.
- Sports tire you out, resulting in better sleep at night and better learning the next day at school.
Benefits of Sports on Teens and Adults
As kids grow into teens, the benefits become even greater. Sports are proven to help reduce stress and depression, leaving an outlet for the teenager overwhelmed by high school course load.
Other benefits seen throughout life include:
- An ability to work well with others, learned by playing team sports.
- Higher self-esteem and an increase in confidence from positive sports experiences.
- Accountability gained from having teammates rely on your ability.
Sign Your Kid Up For Sports
As a parent, you never want to force your kids to do things they don't want to. However, the benefit of sports and physical activity for a child outweighs the negatives of a resentful child. Just like when you force your kids to eat vegetables, they'll forgive you eventually and see why you did it. If you have a child that is reluctant to join a sports team, gauge which sport they like the most or seem most interested in and sign them up. One at a time if they are reluctant, don't force the to join three teams if they don't even want to do one.
Sources:
http://www.rochester.edu/team/benefits-of-sports-to-students/
http://www.healthline.com/health/mental-benefits-sports
http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/positive-effects-sports-kids-5686.html
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