Team sport is a type of athletic activity in which multiple individuals are involved working as a team. Unlike individual sports where one person is competing against an opponent, team sports require the efforts of many people to play and are inherently impossible or highly impractical as an isolated solo endeavor. Team sports can be played at all age levels and are a great way to get kids moving. There are many pedagogical benefits for children who participate in team sports, including the development of motor skills, social and communication skills, responsibility and unwavering determination.
Probably the biggest benefit of team sport participation is that it teaches a child how to work with others. The diverse pairings of personalities and scenarios will help your athlete become adaptable, persistent and patient as they learn how to collaborate with their teammates to reach common goals.
Working as part of a team also teaches a child how to respect their peers. It’s important for athletes to be able to work with people who are different from themselves and this is something that they can take into their lives outside of the playing field, whether it’s dealing with difficult coworkers or challenging situations at home. Whether through locker room discussion, coaching drills or chats during practice, or through nonverbal cues on the field such as a gesture indicating who is open for a pass or a stick tap to communicate that it’s time for a penalty, kids will learn how to communicate effectively with their coaches and teammates.
In addition to communication, working with a team also develops a child’s critical thinking skills. During team workouts and during games, players are constantly problem-solving, working out solutions that will help them win the game or improve their performance. This is a skill they can carry with them into their adult lives, no matter what career path they choose to follow.
A good coach is a huge asset to any team and will teach your child how to work hard, have a strong mind set and be motivated. It’s no wonder that students who have positive sports mentors report lower depression symptoms and stress when they enter early adulthood.
Ultimately, the most important lesson that your child will take from participating in team sport is that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to if they work hard enough. A lot of work goes into team sports, from the physical training to preparing for games and competitions. If your child can put in the work to excel at a sport, they will be successful in any future endeavour they pursue. So go out and support your kid’s favourite team, whether it be baseball, soccer or hockey! They will thank you for it later in life.