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There are many benefits that are derived from playing minor hockey. Boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to work together, how to sacrifice for the good of the team, how to enjoy winning and how to handle defeat. In the process, they also learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal health. Playing sports offers children more than just physical benefits. Sports typically help kids academically and socially as well. The benefits are the same whether or not your child actually excels at the sport or not. Although if they are really good they will probably want to continue playing when they are older.
Here are ten benefits of playing sports[1]:
1. Playing sports is fun. It gives your child something to do and a group to belong to. They have a group of friends that has the same goals and interests.
2. Research has found that kids that play sports, especially girls, are more likely to have a positive body image and higher self-esteem. They also are less likely to be overweight.
3. Kids involved in sports are less likely to take drugs or smoke because they realize the impact that these destructive activities can have upon their performance. Girls who play sports are also less likely to become pregnant.
4. Physical activities are a good way to relieve stress and reduce depression.
[1] http://parenting.families.com/blog/10-benefits-of-playing-sports
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5. Sports help kids develop discipline. They learn to set goals and then work to achieve those goals. They learn that by working hard they can accomplish the things that they want to in their lives.
6. Kids who play sports quickly learn that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. They learn to be a good sport in both situations. It also helps them learn to deal with disappointment and go on.
7. Statistics show that kids who are involved in sports while in high school are more likely to experience academic success and graduate from high school.
8. Sports help develop teamwork and leadership skills. Kids quickly learn that they have to work together as a team to win the game.
9. Motor skills, strategic thinking, and even math skills are learned by playing sports. Students develop strategic thinking as they figure out plays and the best way to get around a player or score a goal. Math skills are used as they calculate scores and stats.
10. Regular exercise increases quality of life. Children who exercise are more likely to continue the practice into adulthood.
This subject is explored in greater depth in the book by Drs. J.D. Metzl and C. Shookhoff entitled “The Young Athlete: A Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide for Parents” published in 2002, a summary of which is available on the internet entitled “The Benefits of Youth Sports”[2].
[2] http://www.enotalone.com/article/5298.html
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TECH Resources Information Sheet 5 – December 2008