How Sports contribute to a Child´s Development

I always say that we are fortunate to have the resources that enable us to send our son to extra curricular activities, in this case, sports activities, that hone his physical strength and at the same time allow him to develop new skills. 

My son is enrolled in the following sport activities: 

1.  Swimming 
2.  Judo 
3.  Basketball - he is Filipino and we Filipinos just absolutely love basketball.  Hehehe He should at least learn how to dribble, shoot and do the rebound Hahahahaha.  He should be able to participate in street style basketball which is common in my country. Hehehehehe 

My husband and I were given the opportunity to see how the activities were conducted during their open house.   I liked that even if we and the instructors know that sports is definitely about competition, the instructions are packaged in such a way that the children/participants are taught about discipline, generosity, respect for individual/others, commitment, ownership to your actions and winning in a fun form.  In short it was a fun learning activity even though they were building skills. 

I remember my child going home from his extra curricular telling me about the new friends he met, new skills he has learnt.  From time to time he would show his moves on stretching and other physical activities.  

He would equate certain actions to some values he learned in these extra curricular activities.   For example: waiting for one´s turn, not shouting, not physically hurting each is a sign of respect for individual.  

His discipline and organization have also improved as he is able to organize his things and his time.  From school, he knows that he has to take his afternoon snacks and after,  go to his activity on time (as tardiness is not good).  His listening and attention skills also increased.  He follows instructions and can execute them.  It is inevitable though at his age, that sometimes, we have to repeat ourselves.  

His ownership to his tasks and responsibilities have evidently increased as well.  In their judo class, the students have a notebook where they put the cards/points that they were awarded to every end of the session.  And when that is complete, they submit it to the professor.  And if there are duplicate cards, the students take them back to the professor and request for a new one.  My son took responsibility in ensuring that his notebook is up to date though he was unable to complete it.  

On a more physical note, his muscular strength, agility and technical skills have improved.  He has better grip on the basketball.   He runs faster though still slow.  Hahahahahaha   His swimming skills have tremendously improved.  He recently participated in his school´s swimming competition.  He was the last in his category but I was cheering and screaming as if he was the champion! Hahahah Stage Mom I am, yes indeed!!!! 

Even if sports is about winning,  three of my son´s greatest learnings are generosity,  kindness and social interaction.  He knows that he needs to do his best to win, but at the end of it all, he knows/he is taught that sportsmanship is also about helping your colleague/team mate.  He exemplifies that whenever there is a new kid in the class by being warm and welcoming to the new classmate and at the same trying to help by showing some of the techniques learned. My son has always been timid, introvert but during these classes, he just let it all out, he relaxes, he has fun and he enjoys his time with his classmates.  He engages in conversations with them!!! 

As a parent, I strongly recommend that our children engage in individual or group sports leaning activities for skills building but more importantly for fun memories and values reinforcement as they grow up. 

Way to go to you my son!! I will always be here for you!! Aja!! Fighting!! Animo!!!