Learning Life Lessons From a Team Sport
When kids play team sports, they learn a lot about collaboration. They learn to work together with their teammates and with coaches toward a common goal, while respecting the skills and abilities of all players. They also learn how to be selfless and make sacrifices for the good of the team. These are essential lifelong lessons.
The camaraderie and support children derive from their teammates is a huge boost to their self-esteem. It gives them a sense of belonging that can be difficult to find as an adult, and it inspires them to continue pushing themselves. Even a child who doesn’t have the talent to win a gold medal in the open 400 at the Olympics can still run an important relay leg and achieve a personal best.
Children are also learning valuable life lessons when they participate in team sports, particularly those that require more physical activity than a single player can perform alone. They learn to keep a regular exercise schedule, and they develop character traits like commitment and reliability. This can benefit them in many areas of their lives, and it’s something that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Finally, participating in a team sport often requires mental “toughness.” Kids experience pain, exhaustion, intense joy, and immense disappointment on the field. They learn that if they don’t keep their emotions in check, they can ruin the entire game for themselves and their teammates.