Mental, Emotional and Social Skills Kids Learn When They Play a Team Sport

The advantages of participating in team sports are well documented, especially when it comes to a child’s physical health. But what is less known are the mental, emotional and social skills that children learn when they play a team sport.

One of the most obvious benefits is that of developing a sense of belonging within a community. Team sports encourage kids to make new friends outside of school and socialise with people who have the same interests. As they train together and compete with each other, they form bonds that can last a lifetime. These friendships can then help them forge social networks in their adult lives.

It is important to note that team sports also teach children how to respect authority. This is because it’s expected that all members of a team will respect the coach, trainer or manager, and they must listen to them when they are given instructions. This is an essential life lesson that will be useful when they become adults and are in workplaces where there is a need for hierarchy and respect for authority figures.

Additionally, playing a team sport teaches kids how to strategize. This is because the members of a team must work together to achieve a common goal, such as winning a game. Children must use their strategic thinking skills to come up with plans and strategies that can be executed by the entire team. These strategies will help them be successful in their sporting endeavours and in other areas of their lives too.