Some kids love sports, while others hate it, but there’s certainly no denying that sports in schools provide students with a range of important benefits. I have teamed up with a prep school in Hertfordshire to explore how sports can support your child’s overall progression.
Improves Health and Fitness
First thing’s first, sport is great for ensuring children are getting regular exercise and fresh air, which is not only good for their physical health but also mentally.
Feel-good endorphins are released during exercise, which can help improve your child’s mood. Not all children have access to a safe space at home where they can run around freely and blow off some steam, so it’s great that they are given this opportunity at school.
Promotes Perseverance
Sport provides children with an important lesson; the more you practice and the harder you try, the more likely you are to succeed. They won’t become a star footballer or beat their personal best at the high jump overnight, it takes training and perseverance.
Teaches Teamwork
Many sports, like rugby or rounders, encourage students to work as part of a team to reach a common goal. In order to succeed, clear communication amongst the team is key. This is another important life lesson that will benefit them in traditional classroom environments, as well as in the future when they embark on a career.
Improves Brain Function
Believe it or not, research has found that there is a positive link between exercise and the growth of the brain’s hippocampus. In other words, sport can help children with their memory and promote sharper thinking, thus helping them perform better across other subjects.
So, while you may not regard PE as an important part of the curriculum when compared to subjects like English, maths, and science, you can see that there are actually lots of benefits to sports in schools. With that said, don’t underestimate PE, and try and encourage your child to pursue sports outside of school too.
