Pros and Cons of Team Sports for Child Development

Introduction

Ask any child who plays a sport what they would rather be doing in their free time: sitting at home, isolated with walls trapping them inside or out in the fresh air practising with friends what activity they do best. The way they spend their childhood years can be a determining factor for the rest of their life. It is an excellent time to try new activities, such as joining a team sport. Many children today spend their time staying indoors playing on a screen and regret later on in their lives not spending time outdoors or playing a sport with a team of close friends. Some of the most enjoyable moments are spent with teammates on the field working toward a group goal that everybody wants to achieve. Not only are team sports a great way to keep children active during the year, they also provide numerous learning opportunities and benefits that will last a lifetime. Despite the undeniable pros and cons of team sports, all children should play a team sport as it builds teamwork skills, improves physical fitness, and contributes to good mental health.

Team Sports: A Valuable Childhood Experience

First, every child should be participating in a team sport because it builds essential teamwork skills needed in everyday life. While a person plays a sport, they learn to work well with other people. This is an important skill to develop during younger years, as it can be utilized while collaborating with family, co-workers, peers, or superiors in the future. For example, when I first started to play on a soccer team at the age of six, the objective of the game was to kick the ball in to the net any way possible. However, as we got older we learned more about the importance of passing to others and calling each others names during the game to achieve most success. The word “teamwork” was always enforced by coaches while playing, and I brought the same mentality of using teamwork to my life outside of the field. Working in group projects during school made it necessary to listen to everyone and then make a decision based on everyone’s opinions, ensuring group communication. Additionally, working towards one common goal while playing a sport enforces the lesson of practising and encouraging teammates to achieve what they are working for. Team sports consist of each team member taking on a task in order to them to suceeed. Being part of a team teaches children the importance of becoming a responsible and reliable team member. As one can see, being a part of a sports team teaches children many important skills of life such as teamwork through listening and communicating clearly.

Improving Physical Fitness with Team Sports

A second reason why playing a team sport during childhood is important is because it improves physical fitness habits. Childhood obesity is running rampant across the world and is one of the main contributors to later on health complications in adults. Obesity is contributed to not monitoring what one eats and not staying active. Team sports will help kids become better athletes as well as helping to keep in shape. According to Sports Injury Research and Prevention Center, Nearly one third of children and adolescents between the ages of two and nineteen are either overweight or obese (“Sports Participation Helps Prevent Youth Obesity”). Being overweight or obese negatively affects the physical and psychological health of youth. Starting to play sports or participate in physical activities at a young age can help eliminate the concern of health problems later on or obesity in adulthood. Playing a team sport as a child decreases obesity rates and also helps develop better coordination. Children that play sports will have better maintained physical characteristics such as one’s balance, strength and coordination compared to a child that plays video games all day. For example, exercising our body on a soccer field helps improve the strength and performance of our muscles and bones, rather than a boring setting for a child in a fitness centre with all sorts of complex equipment. Having a fun, physical activity to share with friends, such as team sports, will help you maintain wellness by decreasing obesity rates in children and improving coordination.

In addition to building essential teamwork skills and improving physical fitness, participating in a sport contributes to a person's overall mental health. The obvious benefits from playing a sport are of course being in better shape and become physically fit. However, playing on a team also benefits your emotional state of mind and social abilities. Exercise is a great way for kids to loosen up and use their mind in a different way. Participating in a team activity is a great stress reliever from school as it releases endorphins. Sports also help children develop tight bonds with their teammates which will provide them with a support system (“Health Power for Minorities”). Moreover, with the rising popularity of social media, children are easy to develop a mindset where there everyday life or body image isn’t as “perfect” as someone else’s. This causes low self-esteem in today’s youth and is crucial for them to recognize their importance and achievements before any extreme action is taken. Sports present the children with opportunities to earn both attention and respect. Seeing hard work pay off has a positive impact on a child’s mental health, improving their views on themselves. Team sports offer loads of opportunities for players to show their skills, allowing them to see the results of their work and feel proud of their team’s accomplishments. When children achieve their goals on the field it teaches them they can achieve any other goal they set later in life. Given these points, it’s easy to say that participating in a sport contributes to a person’s overall mental health by being a great stress reliever from books and boosts a child’s self-esteem.

Conclusion

As one can see, it is crucial for children to participate in a team sport as it helps develop crucial life skills, helps create physical health awareness, and contributes to mental wellness. Playing a sport is a huge contributor to the way one decides to spend there cherished childhood years. Take a moment to think about your lives for those who have played team sports. How would your life be different if you had not started? Would you have a different group of friends/peers that you got along with? Would you have different interests? Would you be as happy with your life as you are now? 

References

1. 'Sports Participation Helps Prevent Youth Obesity.' Sports Injury Research and Prevention Center, https://injury.research.chop.edu/sports-injury-research/sports-participation-helps-prevent-youth-obesity#.YTPRQ2wzbIU.
2. 'Health Power for Minorities.' Health Power for Minorities, http://www.healthpowerforminorities.com/physical-activity/childhood-obesity-the-risk-and-the-reason/mental-and-emotional-health-physical-activity-and-sports/.