The biggest benefit of youth sports is obvious: the physical exercise. Any parent knows that getting your child outside or on the court is far better for your child’s health than sitting in from of the television playing XBox. Calories aside, there are several other reasons to get your child involved in youth sports that can benefit them positively in a long term way, both on the court and in your household:
1. “We” Mentality: Any parent knows their child can be egocentric at times. That “my way or the highway” attitude is hard to ignore and even harder to battle against. Enrolling your child in a team sport forces them to think of others in order to be successful. One team member does not carry the entire team, even in the most professional of sports. Teaching children to think in terms of benefiting a team instead of just for themselves will to carry off the court and into their every day lives.
2. Positive Mentors: Dedicated, thoughtful, positive coaches can have a huge impact on children. Objective and consistant mentoring can sometimes create more of a response than if the critique had been from a parent. Children walk onto the court expecting to learn from those they trust – that willingness to learn translates into powerful examples of how a constant role model can prove beneficial in a child’s every day life.
3. Family Time: You may not think it, but watching from the side lines as your child participates in a sporting event can be the most rewarding family time of all. And while the only time spent together may be in the car on the way to practices or tournaments, your show of support in the busy schedule of your own life can be the opportunity to cultivate an even greater bond in your family.
We may be biased, but being a part of youth basketball is more valuable than we could ever write about. If you’d like to sign up for a free class to see why Jump Athletic can be a benefit to your child’s every day life, click here.
