Reality check: Your kid probably won't ever be a top athlete. But they're building some surprising skills they may keep for life.
3. Kids who play sports may be less likely to be lonely — even as adults.according to the American Academy of Pediatrics“The team environment provides a setting for athletes to bond socially, identify with peers, and engage in personal growth and development,”And those potential benefits extend into adulthood., for example, that children who played sports in 10th grade reported less social isolation in adulthood.
Of course, sports are not magic. The AAP points out that there are very real risks of burnout, as well as of hazing or bullying and risk-taking behaviors within the team setting as kids get older. But when they’re taking part in a sport they really enjoy, with teammates who help them learn about compromise and connection, children can develop social skills that help them throughout their lives.
“Children who play sports learn how to navigate team relationships and work together, take turns, and focus on a joint goal, which are especially important skills that can translate into academics and even the workplace environment over the years,” Playforth said.Time management is an essential lifelong skill, one that has become increasingly important with so many demands on our collective time.
If your child wants to quit sports, do some self-reflection on why. (Is it doing them harm? Are they playing for themselves, or for you?