Benefits Of Sports: How Can Playing Sports Contribute To A Child's Development?

Children spend most of their daytime at school, albeit they are deprived of time for sports and fun. The main reason for this is that either the schools do not have enough facilities to organize sports or the management does not realize the importance of sports and other physical activities. In schools, the break time is hard of 20 to 30 minutes. Children can either play games with friends or have their lunch during this short time. They do have games sessions, but that is just once a week. Even on that day, the children cannot play sports as there is nothing for them to play. All they do is spend that time either learning a test or doing their homework. Teachers and parents both emphasize doing homework and learning lessons after school. There are only a few parents and educators who understand that a child should have a balanced routine, and get time for studies, games, and proper rest. Education is not just reading, memorizing, and writing homework, it is, in fact, the development of one's personality. The importance of sports and games should not be neglected, when it comes to educating children and teenagers. Sports contribute to a child's physical, emotional and psychological development.

Why Is Sports Essential?

Sports are essential for healthy living, as Hippocrates said, "Sport is a preserver of health." Let's see what different benefits we can get from playing and physical activity.

  • Sports reduces body fat, controls body weight, prevents Cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
  • Playing outdoor games enhances endurance, flexibility, improves balance as well as strengthens bones and muscles.
  • Sports help in developing better hand-eye coordination and fast foot movement.
  • It reduces the risks of getting injured and quickens recovery and healing.
  • The children who play sports are less likely to get arthritis and diabetes than their peers who do not exercise or play games.
  • Sports play a pivotal role in a child's mental development. It is a proven fact that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Sports make one both physically and mentally fit. According to research, the children who play sports, do better in their academic studies. Involving in physical activities improves concentration and enables the mind to focus properly. This helps students in their studies. They can understand and learn their lessons effectively and quickly than those who do not play sports. Besides this, sports also teach children problem-solving skills and enable them to set and accomplish goals.

1. How do Sports Contribute To Character And Personality Building?

"Sports is human life in microcosm," said a sports broadcaster. Apart from benefiting their physical health, sports also play an important role in the psychological development and social well-being of a child. Playing inculcate values like discipline, responsibility, self-confidence, sacrifice, and accountability. By playing sports, children how to get along with their peers and interact positively with their coaches and elders. It builds sportsmanship spirits in them, whether they win or lose. The losing team shakes hands with the winning one and pats them on their shoulders as a gesture of appreciating them.

2. Sports Reduces Stress

Sports help one combat anxiety, depression, and stress. Sports train one to accept defeat gracefully and move on. They learn that winning and losing are parts of life, one should not feel depressed and dishearten on losing, but move on and strive more for the next time. Rita Mae Brown, an author says, "Sports strips away personality, letting the white bone of character shine through. Sports allows players to know and test themselves." The children who play sports get more chance of meeting and interacting with people of similar interests and make new friends, this boosts their confidence. Sports inculcates the spirits of sportsmanship and sharing. Children playing together as a team, share and celebrate their victory together. This has a positive effect on a child's psychology and behavior. Players are less likely to become selfish when they grow up; they are caring and ready to work as a team and get along better with others. Dr. Keith and Rebecca White conducted research that reveals that middle-school teenagers who are physically active and play sports are more contented with their lives and feel healthier than those who do not participate in sports and physical activities. "Our study demonstrates the benefits of youth sports participation on self-rated health and life satisfaction among young youth at a critical juncture in adolescent development. Our findings suggest that sports team participation may enhance school connectedness, social support, and bonding among friends and teammates," says Dr. Keith and Rebecca White.

3. Why Girls Should Be Encouraged To Play Sports?

Most parents discourage their daughters from participating in sports and performing physical activities at school. This is mainly because they fear that their complexion would become dark. The fact is that playing sports will make them look younger than those girls who do not play. Yes, that's right! Playing slow down the aging process and make skin healthy, beautiful, and glowing. Girls who play sports are less likely to become overweight. Sports make girls physically fit, attractive, energetic, and confident. They can socially interact better with others as compared to the girls who do not play sports or exercise. Research has found that girls who play sports have a positive physical image and high self-esteem. According to a report, physical activity can help to prevent hip fractures among females and reduce the effects of osteoporosis. Parents should not stop their girls from playing sports only because they do not want them to become dark. Girls can prevent their skin complexion from becoming dark, tan, or sunburn by using a sunblock before they go out.