What Children Need More than Sports
It’s no secret that I’m a huge advocate of youth sports. I believe youth sports is the best classroom for preparing young people to overcome the challenges they will eventually face in the real world.
However, the fact is not every child is athletic or competitive. Does this mean these children will miss out if they don’t play sports? It’s possible, but it doesn’t have to be probable.
Although I think sports is the best classroom for preparing young people to overcome challenges, it’s not the only classroom. I say sports is the best classroom because as a former athlete I’m bias. But the truth is sports is just one of many tools to prepare young people.
The experience of growing through a transformational process is more important than any sport in itself. This transformational process to grow one’s mind and body is what actually preparers young people to overcome life’s challenges. What’s more, this is something a young person can experience through music, art, dance, as well as many other extracurricular activities.
As long as there is 1) structure, 2) a visible improvement curve, 3) a process to learn through failure, and 4) a constant push beyond one’s comfort zone, transformational growth is possible. These four things are what young people need above all else.