As a homeschool mom of several children for 20 years, I never gave much thought to the importance of sports in regards to what my students needed to learn. While I made sure that they spent time engaged in physical activity and made the effort for them to get together with other homeschoolers from time to time for games and spontaneous sports, it was not a priority. Now, since the remaining children have been enrolled in public schools, I have been educated about the importance of team sports and the benefits my girls have reaped.
The first year in public school, the only child who participated in any activity was the middle school daughter who was active in chorus. While she had several performances outside of school hours, she did not really enjoy the experience. This year, a whole new door has opened up for all of the girls. During the summer, the teen girls made up their minds that they wanted to try out for their high school cross-country team.
Over the summer, I watched their transformation right before my eyes. They became dedicated and focused on improving their times and physical conditioning. No matter the weather conditions, they were out running the 1-mile loop in the neighborhood multiple times a day. The day they made the team, they were over the moon with their accomplishments.
As the school year commenced, I can see how their dedication is carrying over to their academic performances. They are more focused in completing work on time and for the most part, they are more tolerant of subjects and teachers they normally would just tune out, especially if they were not interested in the subject matter. As for their social development, they are much more confident and outgoing in situations that would normally have caused them to be more reclusive.
Even the youngest one is showing more interest is participating in sporting activities. After running in her first county-wide cross country meet, she was exuding confidence and pride in her accomplishment of coming in the top third of the children who participated. She is now motivated to try harder the next time and she realizes that the confidence she gained has carried over to her interactions in the classroom.
Studies have shown what I have seen with my own eyes. Students who participate in school sports are more likely to succeed in life, not just in the classroom but in life as well. They are more inclined to seek a college degree and experience great success in their chosen career field. Those who participate in sports are also more inclined to be active later in life as well.
Students who are active in team sports also are better equipped to become better team leaders and become better problem solvers. While school sports are not a cure all for every problem that may come along in a child’s life, the tools and skills that they acquire in sports will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Writer Bio: Angela Mose
I am a mom of 7 who has successfully homeschooled for 20 years. I was married for more than 25 years and have recently started my life over. I have a passion for writing and music and when the two can be combined, it is utopia. A Maryland native, I am planning to relocate north in the near future and will continue to strive to learn and experience new things on a regular basis. I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home while exploring new ways to increase my knowledge and skills and help improve the lives of those around me.