At a young age, kids have a lot of free time outside of school, and they usually use it to watch tv, play video games or play outside. 

Any type of sport that allows kids to build a friendship with their teammates, learn the basics of the sport and keep them busy gives kids the opportunity to mature before other kids who aren’t involved in any sports. 

If you are questioning if you should allow your children to play sports then here are four examples of why you should. 

Teaches Discipline

There are often kids who are troublemakers and have no discipline. They either have never been taught what is right versus what is wrong or aren’t punished for the mistakes they make. Sports can teach kids to be disciplined and when they do make a mistake or don’t listen to their coach there will be a punishment which is often running. 

Sports allow kids to become more disciplined and learn that when they do the wrong thing it will come with consequences and so it will prevent them from making mistakes. 

Socialization 

A big thing the kids struggle with is making friends and meeting new people. Some kids are very shy and afraid to make friends, but sports allow them to meet new kids and build a friendship with each other. 

When you are a part of a team you build relationships that last a lifetime. For example, I am still very close with people I mean when I was 12 years old playing for a youth football team. 

I was very shy and quiet as a kid but playing football with other kids my age allowed me to express myself more and now, I am an adult I still am very close with the same kids that were on my team. 

Teaches Core Values

Parents are often hesitant to put their kids in sports are afraid of their kid being injured, but every time a kid is injured they make their way back into the sport because their love for the sport and their teammates is stronger.

Injuries come with the sports but what also comes with playing sports are core values like responsibility, teamwork, discipline, leadership and many more. All these core values are tough for parents to teach but when kids are in sport they learn them quicker. At the end of the day parents want their kids to be happy and having fun; something that sports can provide for them.

Offers Lifelong Opportunities

One of the toughest things in life is growing up and maturing into an adult. Not only can sports provide that but it gives kids an opportunity to find what they truly enjoy doing. If it’s not sports then that’s fine but you never know until you give it a chance.

As kids get older, they can continue to play sports in high school. It can be used  as a source to get away from school and just enjoy time with their friends. Sports also give kids an opportunity to travel and be recruited by colleges. 

All parents want their kids to go to college and be successful, sports are a big source for that. Give it a chance and I promise it will bring the best out of your kid and give them a purpose to be motivated and work hard to be successful.