Over the past few decades, children have been taking part less in free play and more in organized sports. While participation in organized sports has both social and physical benefits for young children, concerns about safety and benefits increase as participants get younger.
Though most children are naturally likely to be physically active, not all kids are willing to get up and move. Soccer coach Joseph Luxbacher says, "Every kid has the potential to be a good sportsman in different kinds of sports. Participating in organized sports such as the school soccer team introduces direction to children's physical activities. Following a team schedule gives kids a set time and place to exercise. As a result, kids can be safe from accidents and be protected against hurt."
What's more, participating in organized sports gives children time to communicate with others and showing good sportsmanship. For young children who may still be very self-centered, participating in team sports teaches them to think about the group and encourages them to be happy about the success of their teammates. Kids can also benefit from spending time with their coach and having a chance to develop a positive relationship with an adult other than their parents, especially if the coach is both skilled and devoted to being a positive mentor.
Playing organized sports requires a lot of time for practice and games, so it would seem that this could influence students' study. Actually it can ameliorate students' test performance. That's because to play organized sports well, players have to memorize information, do repetitive actions, and learn from teammates. All these types of learning skills can make students score higher.
Though it can come from many different sources—parents, coaches, teammates or themselves—many children who participate in organized sports feel pressured to succeed. While a little stress can be helpful in leading children to perform with increased focus and strength, too much stress will leave young kids feeling very tired. Organized sports are more likely to put the right amount of pressure on them.
