Sport Classes For Kids Pros And Cons

By Mara Boone


In nearly every culture in the world, sport plays some role in the lives of the people. In the developed world in particular, this form of exercise and entertainment has become an increasingly large part of life. Many participate in sport for the exercise, challenge, social aspects and more, while others prefer to be spectators for the entertainment value that it can provide. Children are no exception to this and nowadays it is not at all uncommon for youth sports to be taken quite seriously. As a result, there is debate regarding the value of sport classes for kids.

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.

On the other side of this argument is the concern about the effect of competition on developing youth. Some may be prone to being excessively competitive, which can be a hindrance socially and beyond. Others may have issues with lowered self-esteem if they are not as successful, which can have a wide range of negative effects on children as well as adults.

Modern society includes a degree of stress that can be harmful, especially to children. Participation in sport is often claimed to be a way to release and deal with some of this tension. This is in part related to the physical activity involved as well as the social aspect alluded to previously.

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.

Probably the most commonly referenced benefit is the simple fact that participation in sport provides the child with much-needed physical exercise. With progressively sedentary lifestyles these days, this is a very important consideration in the overall health of children and in establishing healthy habits for adulthood.

With this added activity comes a greater chance of suffering an injury. Major injuries can have long-lasting physical and mental effects and even minor ones can cause significant problems. The risk level naturally depends upon the type of sport that is being played, but every one comes with some sort of risk involved.

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.




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