Why All Group Sports are Beneficial for Children

Getting your kids up and moving can be really tough especially in this era where modern electronic gadgets now magnetize kids to couches. One of the best ways to get your children up and moving is to add other children to the mix, and then sprinkle in some exercises with a dose of healthy competition among them. There are a handful of benefits to children participating in any group sport, including aspects that are emotional, physical, and social.

How exactly do group sports help?

Getting active together

Time and time again, research praises the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of exercise. When done in a group setting, children can learn from one another by observing, while at the same time developing social skills. If they are making friends through their group sports and activities, they will look forward to returning to practice the next time, in turn creating healthy and repetitive habits that they can use the rest of their lives. Healthy competition within group sports will also encourage children to continue working hard during physical exercise so that as they grow their skills do not plateau.

Group sports give children the opportunity to:

·       Deal with both winning and losing. They learn that there are things in life that are not going to go their team’s way all the time.

·       Be less selfish and think of other people around them.

·       Become even more sociable in different kinds of environments. They learn to deal with different types kids, who may or may not be their friends.

·       Overcome their shyness by putting them into a situation where they need to communicate with others.

Children learn about values through group sports

Playing group sports provides children with endless lessons. Along with learning social etiquette, children also learn that they must respect their playmates, sports officials, and referees. Sports can help teach lessons of honor, sacrifice, and pride as well.

When your kids play any group sport, they are more likely to develop:

·       Physical skills

·       Leadership skills

·       Camaraderie and friendship

·       Social interaction skills

·       Self-concept and self-esteem

·       Teamwork and cooperation skills

·       Sense of team membership or belonging

·       Persistence, patience, and self-discipline

·       Team goal-setting skills

·       Resilience by means of sharing both the negative and positive experiences

Group Sports Promote a healthier living

Even if you know that your kids are not going to be professional athletes, they will still receive countless benefits by participating in athletics. Learning to work with other kids and being part of something bigger are hard to emulate elsewhere. Also, being physically active often goes hand in hand with eating right, and maintaining good mental health.