Team sport is a great way for kids to build their social skills. They learn to communicate with their teammates, and they get used to working toward a common goal, which is important for both school and the workplace.
Children who participate in team sports also develop critical-thinking skills. They are challenged to recognize a problem and find solutions in the moment of the game. Whether it’s recognizing that one of their teammates is open for a pass, observing an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and finding ways to neutralize those advantages or altering their footwork or speed in different weather conditions, these are skills that will serve them well in school, on the job and in life.
They also learn to put the team’s needs ahead of their own personal glory, which is an important lesson for life. They must also be able to respectfully interact with coaches and referees.
Finally, they must be willing to work hard at their sport and take responsibility for their performance on the field or court. This teaches them to persevere, focus and work toward a goal even when the results are not immediately satisfying. Kids who learn these lessons early in life will be better prepared for challenges that they face later in school or the workplace, such as standardized testing or interviewing for jobs. They will be more comfortable in high-pressure situations because they have learned to overcome them on the field or in a practice game.