Sport Classes For Kids Pros And Cons

By Mara Boone


Sports are a major part of modern society today. Many of us have grown up watching a variety of sports and participating in some as well. Even many of those who weren't active in athletics become followers of a particular sport or team once they get older. With the growing popularity of these pastimes, more and more children are participating in sports, oftentimes to a much more serious degree than was typically done in the past. As a result, sport classes for kids are increasingly common and there is some debate as to the benefits that they offer.

One of the primary reasons why people support this type of activity for youths is the development of sportsmanship, teamwork and social skills. These attributes are certainly ones that can be fostered through the playing of competitive sports and are inarguably useful outside of the sporting arena. Being able to work well with other people is an invaluable skill in families, business and more.

The opposite argument would be that excessive competition can be harmful to a child's development. Those who are not as skilled may suffer from a lack of self-esteem and possibility be put off by any type of competition as a result. On the other end of this spectrum, it is possible for one to become overly competitive, which can be a very negative personality trait.

Many children these days are under an inordinate amount of stress, which is obviously not a healthy thing. Sport classes are often seen as a healthy outlet for the problems that plague us, partly because of the physical activity that they provide and partly from the social aspect.

On the other hand, rather than helping a child to deal with the stress that they are facing in other aspects of life, the competition that comes with these classes can compound what stress is already there. It is not at all uncommon for both coaches and parents to place a lot of pressure upon their kids. Peers can be another source of this as can the child himself or herself.

The simple existence of an opportunity to get some regular physical activity is a strong argument in favor of sport classes. Many kids have come to lead very sedentary lives and need to learn the importance of exercise and to develop healthy habits that they can carry with them through the rest of their lives.

One drawback to this added exercise is the risk of injury that is inherent in many such activities. American football, rugby and other collision sports obviously have a higher risk than ones such as tennis and golf, but none are completely free of jeopardizing the health of the participants. Major and minor injuries can both have long-lasting effects, both physically and mentally.

It would be virtually impossible for anyone to claim that sport classes for kids are completely good or completely bad as there are obvious pros and cons that must be considered. Every child is different physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether these classes are a good idea must be decided on a case-by-case basis based on each individual's desires and attributes. Parents must take careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks and weigh them against the desires and personality of their child when deciding if participating in these classes is best for them.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment