Sports and Children: Importance of Play for Cognitive, Social, Physical and Emotional Wellbeing

Running head: SPORTS AND CHILDREN
SPORTS AND CHILDREN
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1SPORTS AND CHILDREN
Introduction
Sports or play in the playground is pen of the chief identities that is associated with
children. In these days of strict routines, demands, expectations, schedules and
responsibilities, childhood has been sacrificed in many ways, among many other essential
elements, the children sports are major. Therefore, it is increasingly essential that the children
are allowed to play. Playing is essential for the development of the children in all-inclusive
way. This is because play contributes to cognitive, social, physical and emotional wellbeing
of the children. It is most enjoyable for the growing children to play instead of watching
television to spend their free time. The United Nations commission for human rights supports
the children’s right to play because of its vitality to optimal child development.
Sports not only supports the children physically but help the children to become
psychologically strong as well as social.
Confidence and imagination
A child while playing sets his imagination free and build self-confidence. Through
physical activities children are allowed to try new things, build their confidence by
conquering their fears. The data reveals that when the children become physically strong, and
active their become successful in their movements. They show high level of self-esteem as
well as a great sense of accomplishment (Martin et al., 2013). Every exercise poses change
for be it a somersault or climbing monkey bars, after accomplishing each goal, their
confidence increases thus they become ready for facing more challenges.
Skill development
Playing helps children to promote healthy brain and athletic skill development. By
dancing, playing with ball or touching toes, they learn balance, endurance, flexibility and
body composition (Lang & Hartill, 2014). Playing help to strengthen all neuronal connections

2SPORTS AND CHILDREN
in the brain which otherwise disappear and weaken when not practiced. Hence for perfect
brain growth as well as physical growth the children need to play.
Being social and coordinating
Playing is vital to help children to develop various social skills. Through playing with
others they learn to get along with others and help others when needed. Playing helps the
children to gain healthier emotional development as this allows them to expose their
conscious as well as unconscious experiences associated with their understandings of life as
well as the things which are going around them (Holt et al., 2017).
Learning teamwork
Children while playing with others tend to form a group to contend. These grows
usually consists of children of various years which helps them to interact with each other in
social and non-competitive environment (Bergin & Bergin, 2018). This does not matter if
they lose in the play. It is all about having fun, working together and trying their level best. In
the team each of the child has their own role to play. In the team sports such as cricket or
soccer their build their own strength and support one another to win. They cheer their success
and learn to move together.
Bonding among parents and children
Some of the parents do not allow their children to play outdoor games but feel satisfied when
their children seat at one place and engaged in reading, watching TV or playing video games.
These are not at all fruitful ideas to bring up children. On the other hand, some of the parents
take their children to parks or playgrounds but keep watching them to play without engage
themselves to demonstrate them the right way to physical skills (Felfe, Lechner & Steinmayr,
2016). The parents who participate in play with their children, spend a quality time to
understand their children’s expectations and their preferences. Through sports the