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Should all kids play sports? As a mom, I think all kids should try sports. Sports are fun and a good way to meet and make friends, stay healthy and develop a sense of belonging. It teaches self-discipline, commitment, and respect for one’s self, one’s body, other players, coaches, and the rules of the game.
My daughters have danced since they were 2. It’s hard and takes a lot of dedication. They’ve also tried cheer, gymnastics, and soccer. We’ve always encouraged them to try different sports because you don’t know what you like until you try it.
But, some time around middle school, sports take a turn. They’re no longer recreational and suddenly, every coach is coaching for a higher purpose: college-level competition. It becomes a long game and sometimes that’s just not the direction the child wants to go in.
The pressure for kids to participate in sports
Kids today are pressured to play sports because it’s what all of their friends are doing. It’s a healthier version of peer pressure — just instead of skipping school and hanging out under the bleachers, they’re going on the field and playing sports.
The pressure isn’t just coming from classmates; there’s a lot of pressure from parents for kids to play sports. Dad played football and now he expects the same from his son. Or maybe sports are their vehicle to go to college. Kids feel pressure from every direction to participate in sports. If they don’t play, the alternative is being left out.
Why it’s OK for kids not to participate
Not everyone has to play team sports. There are plenty of non-team sports and physical activities that your child can do to get some exercise and stay physically fit — even just simply being a kid and playing outside running, jumping, biking, and swimming with friends.
Kids are doing the actual work. They’re the ones going to practice, putting in the effort, and sacrificing their time and social life for the game so let them decide whether they play or not. Sure, we’re getting them where they need to be, paying for it, and supporting them but in the end, they’re doing the heavy lifting — so, we shouldn’t force them to play sports competitively.
If your child is adamant about not playing a sport, listen to their reasons, and then work with them to find other activities they would enjoy and benefit from. The same goes for a kid who decides they’d like to quit a sport — hear them out before forcing them to continue doing something they no longer enjoy or feel comfortable participating in.
Why should kids play sports?
If your child decides that they’d like to participate in a sport, there are many benefits. “Sports teaches us about life. It reveals character through respect and responsibility,” Carlos Cruz, father of four, coach, and owner of Fort Wayne Futsal told Mom.com. “How to be confident and competitive but also humble. How to deal with defeat (or a loss) in a positive way. It teaches us how to persevere.”
Here are some other benefits:
Sports increase self-esteem
Children learn to be confident in their skills when playing sports. Achieving a new skill or winning a game has a positive impact on their self-esteem. The more kids learn about themselves and their abilities through sports, the more they believe in themselves.
It’s a stress-reliever
Exercise is a great way for kids to work through stress and anxiety. Organized sports also help kids make friends and develop bond with them.
Kids learn healthy lifestyle habits
Playing sports with friends is a great way to get exercise. It helps kids becomes healthier without worrying about how many calories they’re burning. It helps build stamina and endurance, making children more heart healthy.
Sports are fun
It’s organized play with people who will become your lifelong cheerleaders and friends.
In addition, team sports offer the following benefits:
Relationships
Children learn how to handle themselves in social situations with other people. Playing sports fosters a strong ability to maintain and nurture strong relationships with others.
Sportsmanship
Sports teach kids more than the fundamentals of playing a game, it teaches respect for authority. Kids who play sports learn that there are consequences for not following rules. “My son’s an only child and playing sports has made him learn to consider other children’s feelings, something he doesn’t have to do regularly at home,” mom Bertha Tuskan told Mom.com.
Leadership skills
Sports are all about the team but each player has a part to play. Leadership on a team is about being accountable for your actions and a good sportsman.
Teamwork
Developing the ability to work well with others is an important skill that young athletes will learn playing sports.
