In the 21st century, it is important to get your kids about and moving as most of them are leading a highly sedentary lifestyle. School to tuition to homework to bed, this lifestyle is not a healthy one in the long run for kids. It is important to incorporate adequate rest and physical activity into their daily routine to ensure they stay healthy. And if you are wondering what kind of sports to engage your kids in, then it is the right question.
There are two main kinds of activities, group and individual sports. While group activities refer to sports like cricket, football, basketball, and more, individual sports refer to badminton, tennis, table tennis, and other solo ventures. Both have their respective benefits and drawbacks, depending on your kid’s personality and preferences. Here's a quick guide to the pros and cons of group sports versus individual activities.
Group sports teach kids how to co-operate and play to the strengths and weaknesses of every member of the team. It shows kids that they can rely on one another and work together to win any game.
Team sports teach children sportsmanship. Not everything is about winning. Sometimes ethics and good values play a far more important role in the game than just good ol’ victory. What matters is being true to one’s sport and game and wishing the opposite team the best, no matter what. This will make them grow up to be better humans.
It is easier for kids to deal with failure when they are a part of a group sport. When kids have one another to rely on, it makes failure an easier burden to bear. Team sports always double the pleasure of victory and divide the pain of failure to emerge triumphant soon.
Team sports can often breed hostility and competitiveness among kids hailing from the same team, especially when it comes to earning praise or credit. Often when there are a few talented players on the team, the rest behave differently with them, which creates a hierarchy in the team and disrupts performance.
Group sports also often lead to a pack-like mentality in kids, with one confident or talented performer emerging as the leader of the group. While there are certain benefits to it, forming packs can also cause class distinction within the team, by creating discord and discontent among the less-favored players.
Individual sports instill higher levels of sincerity and self-discipline in kids. Since in solo sports kids perform alone, they need to be on the top of their game to have an assured victory. This leads to regular practice and more sincere adherence to diet and rules.
Individual sports like tennis, badminton, and swimming inculcates a lot of self-reliance in kids as they know they can rely on nobody but themselves during the game. This also makes them extra-competitive by nature.
Solo sports develop healthy self-esteem in children as they know all their victories and failures are theirs alone. They cannot really blame anybody else as at the end of the day it reflects in their performance. This makes such kids more self-aware and motivated as well as confident.
Individual sports can cause loneliness in young athletes as they lack the opportunity to socialize and bond with others. Since their field is highly competitive and solo, they lack the support and accountability of team members and often feel isolated and secluded.
Solo sports can lead to the development of an unhealthy bond between kids and failure. As these children lack the mental support and camaraderie of friendship and team spirit, failure hits them harder. It becomes more difficult for an individual player to shake off a losing streak than a team.
Group sports and individual sports both have different advantages and disadvantages. While both offer multiple health benefits, they do have a few minor drawbacks. As they vary in their appeal and approach to individuals, it is up to parents to decide which one is better for their kids. Of course, do let your child have the first say when choosing a sport for them. If your child is more outgoing and sociable, they may prefer group activities and team sports more. While if your kid is introverted and competitive by nature, individual sports are ideal for such smart individuals. Whatever one’s preference, this guide with all the listed pros and cons of group versus individual activities will help you and your child figure out which sport is perfect for them.