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who are out to get what they can for themselves. This is a dichotomy adults face throughout life. Kids involved in sports have to consciously or subconsciously figure out where they fit into those various spectrums."

Through sports, youth have to practice cooperation and sometimes learn to get along with people they don't like or that don't like them. Teamwork teaches children responsibility for themselves and others. All players on a team are important and it's everyone's job to show up, play hard and work for the good of the team, or the team suffers.

The benefit of youth sports is also evident in a child's personal life. Through practice, children learn self-discipline and the ability to tell the difference between effort, ability, and preparedness. They experience the exhilaration of practicing to learn something new, or better, and finally achieving it. They learn that it's okay to make mistakes and how to deal with constructive criticism.

In today's society, many people have an "it's not my fault" attitude. Children and some adults are under the assumption that they are not responsible for their actions and that they don't have to work for what they want. Sports teach us the opposite. In order to get ahead in sports, a player must work hard and have a positive attitude. An athlete must learn how to manage time and look ahead to the future. They must learn to deal with failure and disappointment. Athletes don't win every game, make every team, and sometimes suffer injury that changes everything.

Through sports, children develop a sense of self and belonging. Athletes that work hard have a sense of pride for themselves and their team. This pride and responsibility transfers over into other aspects of an athlete's life and creates confidence in children. Some go on to be team captains or leaders in other areas of their lives. When children participate in sports, it affects many other aspects of their lives. Sports teach many different lessons to children that benefit them, not only physically, but socially and personally, as well.

Learn more about this author, Stacey Terry.
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