Children can normally get involved in team sports at the age of three and can continue the sport threw adulthood. Team sports can include soccer, gymnastics and T-ball. These sports are a great form of physical activity and self esteem boosters. Along with these great advantages, a sport also gives parents the opportunity to model respect and sportsmanship to their children. All in all team sports are an vital part of a child’s building block.
Obesity is a growing problem for children in the United States, according to the CDC childhood obesity has more then doubled from the mid seventies to today. Team sports are a great fun filled way to get children to exercise and help prevent obesity. CDC stated in their website “Participating in physical activity is important for children and teens as it may have beneficial effects not only on body weight, but also on blood pressure and bone strength." Physical activity is found in team sports, and practice for these sports normally once to twice a week. In turn having a child participate in team sports ensures they are physically active for at least once or twice a week. Although children need physical activity at least once a day, this is a great option for activity. Physical activities is not only needed in children, but adults are in need of it as well.The CDC also goes on to say "Physically active children are also more likely to remain physically active throughout adolescence and possibly into adulthood.” Children that are involved in team sports normally continue not only physical activities, but the sport as well. Having children involved in team sports is not only helps their physical health now, but is important to their long term physical health as well.
Physical activity is not the only thing children get from participating in team sports. Team sports are a great self esteem booster, which all children need. “Evidence suggests that when properly used, physical activity can provide positive benefits to physical self-esteem and at the same time facilitate the most desirable forms of motivation” (Whitehead). In team sport children must learn how to complete a movement or activity, in order to help them succeed in the sport. Once this is done children are gratified for there accomplishment of learning, causing a self esteem buster. Being encouraged and gratified causes a virtuous self image. Self esteem is a key factor in life. The NNCC (National Network for Child Care ) touched down on this in their website they stated “How you feel about yourself affects how you act. How children feel about themselves affects the way they act.” If children have low self esteem they will have problems not only in a social setting, but in the school and home environment as well. If an individuals self esteem is not raised by the time they reach adulthood, these problems will continue. The self esteem booster that children get from team sports again is another necessary part of life.
Team sports are an essentral role in a child's development, but just as in everything else there can be some developmental disasters. One of these is the parents show lack of respect and poor sportsmanship at the sport event. “NASO [National Association of Sports Officials] receives more than 100 reports annually that involve physical contact between coaches, players, fans and officials” (NASO). Some parents get to competitive in youth sport. The parent in turn gets upset and either yelling or act out in physical violence. This negative behavior is detrimental to the child's development and outlook on sports. On the other hand parent’s behavior can also be a great development tool. If parent show respect and good sportsmanship for each other before, during and after the game children in turn learn this behavior as well.This respect and showing good sportsmanship is dearly needed in life. It is good to teach children this behavior while they are young, so they will continue it as adults. Learning respect and sportsmanship is just another wonderful aspect of having children in team sports.
Team sports are a great way to keep a child physically active as well as boosting their self esteem. These two things are essential accepts not only in children but adults as well. Yes at times parent’s competitive behavior is detrimental to the child's growth, but if done right parents are given the chance to be a great role model. All in all children get positive feed back from team sports. Team sports are a vital part of growth and development for children.
Resources
CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www. cdc.gov
NASCO, National Association of Sports Officials www.naso.org/sportsmanship/badsports.html
NNCC. National Network for Child Care. http://www.nncc.org/homepage.html
Whitehead, James R.; Corbin, Charles B. Self-esteem in children and youth: The role of sport and physical education. The physical self: From motivation to well-being. Fox, Kenneth R. (Ed). (1997). The physical self: From motivation to well-being. (pp. 175-203). Champaign, IL, US: Human Kinetics. xiii, 329 pp.
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