Competive Sports in Elementary School has been a controversy in some communities for many years. Here I hope reveal some of those. Each School District has a different view and so do the parents. Sometimes this causes some conflict in schools.
One thing we need to keep in mind is the students and their well being. There is a lot of competion in most things you experience in life. We want the students to have fun, get good exercise and learn to get along with others. You can decide for yourself what is best for you child.
Sports Can Help Kids Stay Healthy
Sports and health got together. We need to get our Kids interested is some sport to help them stay active. We need to encourage children to move which will help with children who have obesity problems and maybe prevent obesity. No matter the sport kids are building strength, burning calories and developing healthy habits that can carry out into adulthood.
Benefits of Team Sports
Competitive sports in Elementary school has more advantages than just for health. Kids learning to get along, work together, communicating and leaderships skills are so important for life skills. Kids working together for one goal generally to win, but the skills are better than winning. We all know as adults we have to learn to work together to succeed in anything we do.
Yes, sometimes it is hard to work with some no matter how hard you try. The reality is you will always have someone in your life from childhood to adulthood. It is good to learn these lessons early.
Playing to Win With Sports in School
Organized athletic activities is where teams compete against each other to win what they are playing. They are governed by a set of rules and regulations. This is for individual athletes also.
In sports there is a common goal to win the game. In School sports the is a healthy place to learn safe competiton. There will be some players who are better or more gifted. Some kids put more effort into the game. Many kids will practice for hours at home to acheive their goals to become the best at what they do. Look for good equipment and supplies to help here.
Competition I believe is good for all who play sports. Kids want to win. It is great for them to be rewarded. A reality is some kids are not as good of a player as others. Some practice more, some have good encouragement, some have natural ability and there are those who no matter how much they practice they really never get very good. Everyone cannot be the top achievers. It is just part of life. It is good for kids to learn this in school where it is a fun setting.
Does Everyone Get Equal Play Time
One problem I have run across is how much play time does each student get to play. I have witnessed some parents fighting over this issue. This makes me so sad, because we are huring the kids. Every kids needs the opportunity to get equal training in the school setting during class. I believe when it comes to the actual game all the students want to walk away with the win. I also believe if your child is not great at something, look for something they can accelerate in. It doesn’t mean they cannot play. Just find something they like and is rewarding for them.
My husband said he realized in basketball that he really wasn’t going to be the best player. One reason, he had to work after school and didn’t have the extra time to practice. He also just realized this was just not gifted. He was strong and not lazy, he just realized he would never get to where the top players were. I think it is a life lesson many kids need to learn.
Everyone Wants To Win
If you want to win let the starters start the game and use other player as you can throughout. This is what Competive Sports in Elememtary school is about. Durring practice let all the players play. This is not everyone’s opinion, therefore the controversy. Some believe equal time for each student and I have seen the kids lose many games becasue of this. Let’s face it eveyone wants to win the game.
My husband said he didn’t feel bad if he didn’t get called to play every time. He wanted to win even if he cheered on from the bench. No kids feel good to leave the game defeated. The purpose of competitive sports is to compete. You always put the best players in to help win. Learning to win and lose gracefully is a wonderful life skill. I believe the kids are usually not the problem. From what I have seen over the years, with my children and now with my grandchildren playing sports, The problems come from the parents most of the time.
Rewarding The Kids
The question is how to reward the kids? This has even caused controversy. The team wins the game. the team is rewarded by the win. No one needs a participation award. The reward the is fun and the time spent with all the students. If they lose, they can try harder next time. Lets get back to having fun, working hard and earning the rewards you deserve.
The main thing to remember is the activity is so good for us all. Have fun, even if it is hard the rewards for personal growth are so worth it. Getting outside off social media and moving. These activities brings families together and make memories for a lifetime.