The Benefits of Kids Participating in Sports

What are the character traits we see in the most successful adults?  Work ethic, confidence, discipline, and respect would all be high on the list.  While it’s possible for parents to teach some of these life lessons, kids need to learn certain things on their own.  So what’s the best way for them to gain the skills it takes to make it in this world?  Ask any successful adult you know; chances are they’ll tell you how participating in youth sports taught them how to think quickly on their feet, work well with others, and make the most of any situation (among other valuable skills).  At NAC Sports Training Center, we think it’s part of our job to help young people grow, not just as athletes, but as well-rounded people.  Here are a few of the main benefits kids can gain from participating in youth sports, and how those skills will help them be a success when they get older.

Regular Exercise

According to data from the CDC, childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1970 and today, nearly one in every five school-age children is considered obese.  While the reasons for the childhood obesity epidemic are manifold, it’s more or less an undeniable fact that the more active a young person is, the less likely they are to be overweight.  With more and more young people opting for a sedentary lifestyle these days, playing a sport that keeps them engaged can be just the motivation they need to get active and stay active.  When kids play sports at a young age, it helps them develop healthy habits that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Learning Responsibility

When kids play sports, they have a lot to keep in their heads.  Showing up on time for practices, workouts, and games can be a lot to keep up with for any young person.  While the pressure of being a youth athlete may give them a lot to think about, it also teaches them plenty of valuable skills like time management, responsibility, and what it’s like to have others depending on them.  These are the types of skills that are hard to teach in a classroom setting, and learning them at a young age will give them plenty of time to develop these attributes that will make them more functional as adults.

Building Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the basis of confidence, and without confidence, no person can live up to their true potential.  Achievements at home and in academia can certainly build self-esteem but there’s no substitute for taking on a difficult task and overcoming all the challenges it takes to succeed.  The rigors of athletic competition can be exactly what kids need to learn that they can do whatever it takes to win, whether it’s out on the field of play or in their everyday lives.

These are just a few of the many ways in which participating in youth sports can help kids turn into successful adults.  If you’re interested in helping a young person in your life start on an athletic journey that will help them learn a variety of positive character traits, training for youth sports could be exactly what they need.  For residents of Bucks County, NAC Sports Training Center is available to teach Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, and Football to aspiring athletes, so get in touch with Youth Sports Performance Director Doug Sharp today by calling (215) 968-3089 x104, by sending an email to dougsharp@newtownathletic.com, or by filling out our online contact form.  Summer is the perfect time to get your kids out of the house and in one of our baseball camps in bucks county, so get in touch with us today to get them started on their journey to becoming a well-adjusted adult!

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