How Sports Help Children Grow and Develop

How Sports Help Children Grow and Develop

It is no secret that participation in sports has many benefits for children. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, sports also help children develop important life skills.

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Introduction

There are many benefits to children participating in sports. Involvement in sports can teach children the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, help them develop social skills, and improve their academic performance.

Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years old should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per day.1 Regular participation in sports can help children and adolescents meet this recommendations. In addition, children who participate in sports are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, have better heart health, and have stronger bones and muscles.2

Social Skills
Participation in sports can also help children develop social skills. Children who play on sports teams learn how to work cooperatively with others, how to communicate effectively, how to resolve conflict, and how to deal with winning and losing. These are all important skills that will help children throughout their lives.

Academic Performance
In addition to the physical and social benefits of playing sports, involvement in sports has also been shown to improve academic performance. Studies have found that children who participate in sports have better grades and are more likely to graduate from high school than those who do not play sports.3 Sports participation can also lead to higher self-esteem, increased motivation, and improved concentration – all of which can contribute to better academic performance.4