The obesity epidemic afflicts one in five children in the US. In theory, many parents know the physiological benefits of exercise, but they often underestimate its importance- but that’s not what we’re here to focus on. Team sports offer so much more than physiological benefits. From soft skills like teamwork, communication, and group dynamics to increased cognitive abilities and work performance, all of these vital skills stem from team sports.
Academics
Team sports can affect academics through cognitive effects. When you exercise, increased blood flow to the brain activates chemicals and endorphins that prepares your mind to tackle problems. Research supports this idea, showing that a session of team sports can induce your mind into a temporary state of relaxation, which benefits your concentration, memory, creativity, problem solving, and mood.
Team sports also positively impact long term cognitive development. A 5 year long study found that team sports improved cognitive abilities in children and is associated with higher SAT scores and academic achievement. Furthermore, another study found that 97% of student athletes graduated high school, while on average maintaining a higher GPA than their peers.
Soft skills
Experts recognize the role of frequent social interactions in developing interpersonal skills. Team sports are a great way for your child to interact with others and learn non-technical skills such as: communication, social skills, creative thinking, and conflict resolution.
Communication
The more people involved in the team sport, the better the communication has to be amongst the players. In game scenarios, communication is critical for pep talks, expressing feedback, and relaying different strategies on the playing field. Off the court, student-athletes need to express their hopes, struggles, and concerns to their coaches and teachers. Doing so will help develop communication skills.
Teamwork
From a young age, children involved in team sports understand that each individual has strengths and weaknesses. To win, they will need to put selfishness and ego aside to collaborate and cover each other’s weaknesses. This diverse range of personalities and scenarios in team sports teach persistence, adaptability, and foster a sense of individual and group responsibility.
Building self-confidence through community
An understated aspect of team sports is community. A tight-knit, supportive team can lift each other through encouragement, praise, and in turn boost self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, losing as a team and overcoming it to play again, helps children build a growth mindset and learn that failure is not the end of the world but a chance to improve. When your child’s self-esteem improves, so does the quality of their relationships, academic performance, and social interactions.
Tutor Time Enrichment Program
Tutor Time offers a variety of Enrichment Programs which allow our students to develop new hobbies and interests outside of the classroom environment. One of the most popular programs is Soccer Class where the importance of team sportsmanship and team cohesion is emphasised. In Soccer and other sports classes offered at our campuses, the students develop soft skills such as collaborative play, communication skills, and the importance of working together as a team. Tutor Time also hosts an Annual Sports day Event with all campuses participating in age appropriate group activities to encourage an active lifestyle outside of school and instill a sense of pride in physical activity in our students.
Sources:
https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/social-and-academic-benefits-team-sports
https://www.livingwaters.wa.edu.au/the-mental-emotional-and-social-benefits-of-team-sport/
https://www.jbcnschool.edu.in/blog/benefits-sports-students/
https://cflri.ca/sites/default/files/node/789/files/rf9302.pdf
https://www.aspenprojectplay.org/youth-sports-facts/benefits
Mon-Sat