Last month I did a radio show on the benefits of team sports with my husband, Coach Rob Lanier, of the Florida Gators Men's Basketball team (www.blogtalkradio.com/Dr-Dayo-Lanier), and would like to share some of that information with you today.
Organized sports are a great way for young people to be physically active, but it has other benefits as well.
Socially, children learn to develop patience, selflessness, listening skills and persistence, all while having fun doing something they enjoy. Whether it's learning to take turns, or to support and encourage their teammates, team sports can help children develop skills that will be helpful not only in game situations, but in life as well.
As parents, we can support this process, or we can unintentionally impede it.
Encouraging our children and helping them to practice the physical skills they're learning, is a great way to spend quality family time. But if the demands and expections of parents (or coaches) exceed what the child may be ready for, the positive aspects of sports participation can be lost.
Let us all remember that playing a team sport should be something that our children want to do and enjoy doing. As long as they are learning and having fun, you will see the benefits for years to come.
Take care and God bless,
Dayo N. Lanier, M.D.
Recent Comments