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Often than not, we casually dismiss sports and games as mere entertainment or fun pastimes. But in truth, they are so much more. They are instrumental tools in shaping a holistic learning experience for our students, influencing not just their physical health but their mental and social development as well. In our fast-paced, digitally-driven world where sedentary lifestyles are becoming the norm, we should recognise the importance of sports and games in students’ lives more than ever.
What is the significance of sports and games?
Students should not be confined only to books alone during their educational journey; they require a lifestyle conducive to their overall development. Apart from the physical, cognitive, and social benefits, engaging in sports and games has a crucial and profound impact on their psychological well-being. Sports help release endorphins, resulting in less stress and anxiety that could affect not just the state of mind but also negatively impact academic performance.
Physical activity will promote better health and physique while developing essential skills and qualities. They also offer a break from academic pressures and stress by providing students with an outlet to unwind and refresh. If you are still considering whether sports are a worthwhile investment in the busy schedule of your kid, we have listed a handful of benefits of sports for students.
Indoor vs. outdoor sports
Before we get into the benefits, when you consider sports and games, there are indoor and outdoor activities; chess, table tennis, carrom, etc. are examples of indoor activities, whereas football, cricket, basketball, swimming, etc. are instances of outdoor activities. Both help improve cognitive function, critical thinking, and discipline. Physical activity is crucial for kids in the digital era, just like education is. Top Montessori schools in Bangalore promote physical education in students’ lives from a very young age making it an integral part of their everyday lives as they progress. Here is a comparison of indoor and outdoor sports for your child to consider before choosing one that fits best with their lifestyle:
- Indoor sports are less affected by environmental limitations compared to outdoor sports.
- Both require the skills, techniques, and fitness of the player.
- Outdoor sports typically require a playground, turf, or clear space in order to avoid movement restrictions and injuries.
- Outdoor sports allow individuals to benefit from natural resources such as greenery and sunlight.
- Indoor games may require specialised equipment such as mats, nets, gymnasiums, etc., whereas outdoor games require more rugged equipment.
- Indoor games may present a more controlled and intimate environment, whereas outdoor games have a more social and interactive environment.
Now, we will go through some of the benefits of sports and games in the lives of students:
Enhances Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem:
With sports and games comes an opportunity to showcase skills that boost the self-confidence and self-esteem of individuals. When students succeed in a particular sport, they feel accomplishment while overcoming challenges and receiving recognition. They feel a sense of belonging as they identify with a community or a hobby. A student that performs well in a specific sport might have more faith in their capacity to handle challenging academic projects.
Healthy and Fit Body:
Resorting to a sedentary lifestyle is easy, especially since all the entertainment we require is readily available online. However, this can put you and your children out of shape and result in medical conditions. Students who engage in physical movement regularly can burn calories fast, strengthen muscles, and are less prone to obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases. Healthy eating and fitness go hand in hand, resulting in a better overall physique.
Builds resistance against diseases:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed an increase in the importance of maintaining good immunity to combat the virus. Similarly, we need immunity to keep ourselves safe from diseases and viruses, and one of the most effective ways to achieve that would be through sports and games. Exercise strengthens our immune system and encourages greater blood flow, which increases the body’s oxygenation.
Combats Stress:
Academic pressure and stress are significant concerns for students. Sports and games provide a break from the mundane and allow students to develop hobbies and skills. Physical education helps release endorphins and dopamine that help improve the state of mind of an individual, keeping them away from mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, and more. Mental health experts emphasise the importance of sports in student life in order to ensure they live a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Sports help in building skills:
Students engaged in sports can develop skills that help them while playing and in real-life situations. Generally, sports require a partner or a group of people; this will improve skills such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, leadership skills, accountability, time management, and more. Sports can also develop perseverance and resilience that students will require to face challenges in life, overcome failure and setbacks, and work towards their goals.
Helps with Concentration:
Sports and games require a high level of concentration; therefore, integrating sports into the schedule of students will enhance their attention span and ability to concentrate on matters at hand for an extended period. Sports participation is ideal for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to help them focus and perform better. According to studies, students who participate in physical activity frequently display optimism and drive in their academic work and are less likely to drop out.
Increases career opportunities in the future:
We have all watched the Olympics and other international sporting events on TV and developed a sense of pride in our country with countless victories. With sports training from a young age, you can help your children receive worldwide recognition for their skills and talents. A career in sports is just as good as traditional fields such as engineering, medicine, and more. Students who excel in sports can pursue a career in various vocations such as sports management, sports psychology, coaching, journalism, and more. In terms of academics, achievements in sports can lead to scholarships and opportunities to study at prestigious universities, which will serve as a catalyst for establishing a rewarding career. Several CBSE schools in Bangalore for the 11th and 12th grades give importance to students with a sports background and encourage active participation of students in physical activity.
Boosts Social Skills:
When students are interested in sports, they understand the value of collaborative efforts and friendships as they are frequently in a teamwork setting, which will make them confident, communicative, and outgoing, resulting in improved social skills. Sports help students learn how to manage conflicts and differences, which are essential for future endeavours. Athletes learn to make quick decisions and show sportsmanship to their opponents, which will help them develop a better network of people. Children can engage and foster meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds when they play sports. Children may benefit from this by learning empathy and respect for diversity, which will serve them well in developing their personal and professional lives.
Develops Life Skills:
Perseverance, determination, discipline, and resilience are some life skills that go a long way. Students develop a positive attitude towards life and learn to take on challenges, prepared to deal with both outcomes. Achievements teach students how to handle success with humility and grace, contributing to increased social awareness. Sports activities teach students ethics and values that shape their mindset toward seeking a healthy and sound lifestyle.
Sports and Games Promote Creativity:
Sports require strategy, critical thinking, and dedicating time and energy to learning how to play a sport in various ways helps students hone this ability to think with creativity that they can apply in other areas of life. It makes them intelligent, spontaneous, and more goal-oriented. Creativity is an essential skill to live a successful life, and through sports, students will learn about several challenging situations they would not have encountered otherwise.
To sum up briefly, the endless list of advantages to students’ physical, mental, and social development are why sports and games are important. They help build character, discipline, and life skills that prepare students for success in a competitive and challenging world. We should understand that academics and athletics are complementary, like a lock and key; one ceases to exist without the other. For students to achieve their full potential and live a fulfilling life, it is crucial for them to maintain a balance, and one way to excel in that would be through sports. With excellent physical education instructors, CMR NPS aims to balance sports and academics during crucial developmental ages of life. The world-class sports amenities allow students to explore numerous activities to find their interests, making the institution one of the best schools in Bangalore to implement a holistic approach toward the educational journey of today’s children. Provide your child with the opportunity to work hard and play harder by hitting the books and the field; check out what studying at CMR NPS is like today!
