Athletics: Achieving Life Skills One Sport at a Time

Kids who are involved in activities have higher achievement, attendance, and motivation while in school. This has been proven time and time again, and I see proof of this truth where I work every day. Athletics, in particular, keep a fire inside kids that is important for life. Whether the sport is Aikido, dance, karate, basketball, football, or soccer, athletics teach our kids countless things they need for real life. Watching my kids learn a sport is one of my favorite parts of parenting.

Discipline

Playing sports while growing up has made my husband and me hyper-aware of the work ethic and self-discipline that emerges from athletics. Sports of every kind require the participants to learn a skill and work tirelessly to perfect it. This is the definition of discipline. Because of my early years in swimming lessons or softball, I learned the value of hard work, and I can tell it has transferred to my profession. I see my own kids build grit and discipline with each practice or game in which they participate. I can see how hard the coaches work to be equal parts supportive and challenging. It’s good for children to work hard at something, not get it right away, and not have praise handed to them. I think many extra-curriculars have this trait embedded within them, but athletics adds the element of physical exertion, mind over matter, and endurance. We all know how beneficial movement is for the brain and the body. Discipline through sports is something I am glad my children are learning, and I hope it’s something they find enjoyable for years to come.

Failure is Okay

Until about middle school, kids seem to make every team for which they try. And then comes big, bad middle school. My son is a pretty good football player and he’s a talented baseball player. He likes basketball, but his skill isn’t as high in that sport. When he tried out for his team, he did not make it, and had to learn a tough lesson. We had prepared for this outcome, and he was frustrated, but he understood. The next day–completely unprompted by me or his dad– he asked the coach where his deficits were, so that he could work on them for next year. Sure enough, my kiddo is practicing in the neighborhood every night and enjoying his time on the “C” team, which is the roster for a team of guys polishing their skills. In athletics, there is always the possibility of improving. The skills he’s learning from this one event will transcend to life skills. If there is ever a time when he doesn’t meet a career goal or a personal goal when he’s older, I’m hoping he’ll face the obstacle–just like this one–and keep working to achieve what he wants. 

Teamwork and Camaraderie

When I was in athletics, I remember one of the best parts was the group of 10-15 people who were automatically my friends by sports association and time spent together. Perseverance through line drills, mile runs, and ball handling sessions can really help you to bond with another person. Sure there are always those people on your team who you could take or leave, but for the most part, if you are working toward a common goal, you’ve got a friend. Someone to turn to when things get rough at school, at home, at work. Your teammates understand you. I see that with my kids even this young. Their best friends are the ones they survived burpees and weight training with. They are the same friends who stayed through losing streaks and broken bones. Through athletics, they learn to back each other up, strategize for the greater good, and support each other when things get rough. 

Healthy Outlet

If you’ve read any of my posts, you know I teach high school. Perhaps the most beneficial part of being involved in sports is that it keeps you occupied with healthy options. If your kids are at practice, fundraising, weight training, games, etc., they are going to have less down time for drugs, risky behavior, and apathy. When they’re young and busy with athletics, that’s less time for TV, video games, and other sedentary activities. When they’re in high school and they are busy with sports, that keeps their attendance, achievement, and spirits high. This outlet can get stressful, and kids will have to start making tough choices when the classes get harder, but the most important reason to keep kids active is to keep them involved in a healthy pastime.

Sports aren’t for everyone, but those who do take part can attest to what I’ve said here. The traits that sports have taught me and my children transcend the court or field. They’re keeping them disciplined, focused, friendly, and healthy. Even though I have a permanent bleacher tush from 11 years of supporting my kiddos as they try for the next “W”, I know the things they are learning are priceless.