Team sport refers to any sporting activity where players work together towards a shared objective. This can be in the form of a game like basketball, soccer, football, tennis or water polo. Working in a team helps to improve social skills such as communicating clearly, listening and cooperating. Teamwork also teaches children to compromise and take into account the strengths and weaknesses of other people – skills that can be applied in school, at work or in any situation where a group needs to come up with a solution.
Kids can build a positive self-image by working as part of a successful sports team. The discipline and focus that is required to be a good athlete will help them develop other character traits, such as perseverance and patience. This teaches them to face setbacks and learn from their mistakes, which is a lesson that they can apply to other areas of life.
Working with teammates also teaches athletes to be unselfish and contribute to the success of the group, as explained by the Janssen Sports Leadership Center. Athletes will also learn how to set goals and work toward them. This will teach them how to plan for the future and become responsible adults.
Team sports will keep kids active and around other kids with similar interests, which is great for their social development. It will also make sure that they spend fewer idle hours playing video games or watching TV.