As we enter August, back to school season has begun and the start of the school year is in sight. Although this time of the year means the ramping up of work for a lot of students, it also means after-school sports, PE classes, and more are soon to begin!
Sports and education are no doubt intertwined. Studies have proven time and time again just how beneficial sports and exercise can be to children’s overall academic performance. Sports don’t only provide physical health, but mental and emotional well-being as well – and the combination of these three provide the most effective foundation for success.
Let’s break down the different kinds of benefits sports provide in relation to education.
As we all know, staying active keeps us healthy. Exercise gained through sports boosts cognitive development and allows a child’s brain to stay focused and attentive for longer periods of time. As shown in this University of Rochester article, “Studies have shown that exercise increases blood flow to the brain and helps the body build more connections between nerves, leading to increased concentration, enhanced memory, stimulated creativity, and better-developed problem solving skills. In short, playing sports helps your brain grow and makes it work better.”
Additionally, increased levels of exercise also lead to an improvement in the quality of sleep children gain at night. Therefore, kids who regularly participate in sports are more energized for school, and thus, more prepared to tackle that day’s academic challenges. With that, “Participation in team sports results in a higher GPA for both high school boy and girl athletes,” as mentioned in At Your Own Risk’s article.
Individual Benefits/Development of Values
At Good Sports, we believe the lessons learned through sports extend beyond the field or court. Sports teach key values, such as responsibility, accountability, communication, and discipline. While playing sports, kids learn how to take on challenges and move forward. They learn how to win and lose. How to deal with a setback and recover. All these lessons are vital to success in the classroom and beyond.
In addition to individual growth, sports allow kids to make friends and connections that can extend into every part of their life. Sports create a sense of community between people. Through sports, kids are given a coach, who can become their mentor, and teammates, who can become their best friends. When on the field or court, everyone is given the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging. When cheering on their teammates, kids give each other confidence, boosting one’s self-esteem. In every aspect of our lives, we communicate with others and work together for common goals. Sports allow kids to develop qualities that are essential to teamwork. Teamwork prepares kids for success in the classroom, corporate office, and beyond.
Every day, Good Sports continues to dedicate ourselves to providing kids the opportunity to play. Without the opportunity to play, kids may miss out on experiencing the benefits that come with the combination of sports and education. We know just how valuable sports are to a kid’s success on the field, off the field, and anywhere life takes them, and we will continue to break down the cost barrier, so every child has the opportunity to play the sport they’ve always dreamed of.
If you would like to support our mission of keeping kids in the game, donate through our Equip-A-Kid platform, just in time for back to school!
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