The Benefits of Sports in the Lives of Children
Playing sports is a common part of childhood for many kids around the United States. In fact, around 55% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in sports each year. That’s over 26 million kids.
While kids generally play sports because they are fun and enjoyable, there are also additional reasons why sports are advantageous for them. In this article, we’ll share some of the main benefits of sports in the lives of children.
The Benefits of Children Playing Sports
Physical Benefits - One of the main benefits of sports for children is its physical benefits. There are many physical benefits of children playing sports, including promoting healthy growth and development, strengthening bones and muscles, boosting the immune system, and decreasing the risk of developing certain diseases and illnesses, like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity.
Mental Benefits - Other health benefits of children playing sports include mental benefits. Being physically active, and playing team sports especially, have been shown to help improve mental health by decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving self-esteem. Additionally, playing sports can help children perform better academically by helping them focus, giving them breaks, and boosting their energy.
Social Benefits - There are also social benefits that kids experience when they play sports. Playing sports, especially when it’s on a team, allows them to meet other kids, bond with others, create new friendships, and actively develop social skills through those interactions.
Teaches Important Lessons - Sports also benefit children by teaching them important life lessons. Playing sports teaches the importance of hard work, and that no matter who you are, you work hard to be the very best you can be. It also teaches you to respect and accept others, including your teammates, your opponents, the officials, your coaches, and everyone involved in the sport. One of the key lessons sports teach is teamwork, which is an invaluable life skill.
At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta, we do whatever it takes to build great futures. June is Pride Month, and is a great time to raise awareness about creating access and opportunities for all. We aim to serve the children in our communities, especially by keeping them safe and healthy while promoting respect and equality.
One of the ways we do this is by providing opportunities for all children to get involved with sports and other physical activities through our clubs, like our Triple Play, RBI, and All Stars. We also partner with Special Olympics Mississippi to give all kids a chance to play sports. We even had two teams with club members compete at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games recently.
Each of our clubs provides kids with a safe place to play, learn, exercise, and receive nutritious foods. Find out how you can get involved with our organization by signing your child up for a club or afterschool program, making a donation, or volunteering to help our cause today!