Kids gravitate to organized sports mainly because they are fun. But participation in youth soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball and other team sports, as well as individual athletics, can develop more intrinsic qualities, such as teamwork, self-esteem, good sportsmanship, fitness and lessons in how practice can lead to improved performance. The key is to make any organized sports experience a positive one for kids, which means supportive coaches and parents who maintain a proper perspective on the activity.
Confidence
Diana Converse, a family/life educator at the University of Florida, says research supports the idea that organized sports boost self-esteem, confidence and leadership, especially in girls. She notes that the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports also has found that girls develop a much healthier body image when they participate in sports. Girls and boys in organized sports also learn the positive benefits of hard work and practice, by seeing their own skills improve and by winning or at least achieving preset goals.
Teamwork
Team sports such as soccer are especially valuable because they teach the value of working together as a team on both offense and defense, and because there is less scrutiny and pressure on individuals, which makes it a good sport for those who aren't as confident in their abilities, says psychiatrist Susan Linn, EdD, an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Teamwork also strengthens the idea of good sportsmanship as kids learn to support teammates who do well or struggle, and that will carry over into treating opponents with similar respect.
School Improvement
Students who participate in organized sports tend to work harder in school and have greater educational and occupational aspirations, according to Daniel Gould, PhD, director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University. Dr. Gould also notes that sports tend to promote good citizenship and sportsmanship. Sports participation can also be an incentive for kids to keep their grades up. Schools require minimum grade point averages and attendance for student-athletes to be eligible. Parents can set certain requirements for participation in youth sports, too.
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