Can someone please give me some feedback on my argument. I'm in 7th grade. I will fix grammar and spelling. 50 points cuz its a long one Competitive sports are beneficial for kids because they allow kids to improve their self esteem, helps kids grow, and helps with social skills.
One reason that sports help kids is because it improves their self esteem. According to the article, “What are the Benefits of competitive sports for youth?”, “When a child wins a game, they feel a sense of accomplishment and that they are recognized”(Davis 2), Also, sports teach kids a valuable life lesson, that you can’t always win in sports. Losing with the team can also teach kids to keep going and that they gave it their all and that they tried their best. Mina Samuels, the author of the book, Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women make Happy Lives, Samuels says in her own words, “Over the years that followed my 'discovery' of running, my self-confidence grew, and feeding off the accomplishments I achieved in sports - setting new personal bests, winning a little local race, surviving the setbacks of injuries and marathons gone wrong - I discovered a capacity within myself that I never knew I had. I wasn't just physically stronger than I expected, I thought of myself as a different person, as someone with more potential, broader horizons, bigger possibilities. I saw that I could push myself and take risks, not just in sports, but elsewhere, too.”(Samuels 2) Scoring a goal in soccer or making a run in baseball can make a kid feel special and that they are important and needed on the team. This gives a sense of happiness and boosts self-esteem, that feeling that you are capable and have more self-worth. The second reason why kids should compete in competitive sports is because of the physical benefits. In the article What Are the Benefits of Competitive Sports for Youth?, it says “Millions of American children and teenagers are overweight. This obesity epidemic has made the early onset of health problems such as diabetes more common. Participating in competitive youth sports burns calories and helps to prevent obesity.” (Davis 2) This shows that sports are healthy for kids and that they are important and helps reduce the percentage of youth being obese in our country. Another article that I read, Sports: The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate states that “As a physical educator, it is impossible to cover the benefits gained from sports participation without mentioning the fitness improvements achieved through training for and participating in athletic activities.” This also means that sports participation helps with fitness and endurance. Sports are important for physical fitness because it motivates kids to eat healthy and want to be in the best shape for their next games to perform to their full potential. Sports are also shown to improve cardiovascular health. In a study conducted by Penn State, “Sports helps you reduce the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, reduces the level of body fat, improves the cholesterol makeup of the athlete’s bloodstream and makes the bones and muscles stronger.” The number cause of death in the United States is heart disease. Sports have been shown to mitigate the risk of this disease.
The last reason why sports are good for kids is because of the social skills that are associated with the competition and practice in sports. One example is the communication skills one can develop. In an article that I read on the subject, The Social and Academic Benefits of Team Sports, states that, “While it might not be as obvious as sitting down and discussing a group project, team sports take a lot of communication — both spoken and unspoken. Communication skills are key in maintaining a functioning sports team, whether it’s listening to locker room pep talk, picking up on nonverbal cues given by other players, or expressing a thought during a post-game debrief.” (Malsen 3) Players are expected to express any concerns about the sports that they have to their coaches and teammates. While talking about any issues or statements about the sport, communication skills are promoted. Along with communication skills also comes teamwork. In the same article, Malsen says “Teamwork is all about collaborating with others to reach a common goal. The diverse pairing of personalities and scenarios will help your athlete become adaptable, persistent, and patient.” (Malsen 2). When you are in a group, working with teammates usually leads to better results when everyone brings their ideas to the table to better the team. Teamwork allows team members to work together to achieve a common goal such as winning or simply improving.
In conclusion, the reasons why Competitive sports are beneficial for kids is because sports can improve self-esteem and satisfaction, make you healthier and improve physical well-being, and the social skills that come with competing in sports.