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As children grow, it is important that all aspects of their growth is developed. Physical activities are an especially great way to achieve this holistic development. This includes sports and general play. What I will highlight in this post is the importance of physical extracurricular activities and their potential benefits, especially for learners who are academically challenged. We live in a diverse world where the old standards of achieving success in life are no longer valid. We now pave our own ways for success.
Not all children are academically gifted. Some struggle to write their own names at a high school level. Regardless of the support they receive from teachers and department specialists some children were not meant to be scholars. Does this mean these children have no future or are doomed to a bleak one? I honestly think not. Just like all humans not all men were created the same but this doesn't mean some are distant for greatness whilst other are headed fr failure. Although different, they are equal. source
I've come to the realisation that some academically challenged learners are athletically gifted; not all of them but a great deal of them. This points to a different direction in their education. Instead of academics, these children should be educated in sports. I am not saying that they shouldn't receive a classroom education. What I am saying is that in addition to formal education, an equal amount of effort should be invested in the learners' sports training. They may not grow up to be Einsteins but they can grow up to be Usain Bolts and Caster Semenyas.
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What are the benefits of sports activities in schools?
Besides the obvious physical outcomes of sports; such as improved cardio-respiratory fitness; strong bones and muscles; and overall general wellness and health, there's much more to the advantages of sports in the school grounds.
1. Improvement in confidence
Sports in schools improve the confidence of learners, especially those who do not perform well in class. Sports gives them the opportunity to excel and even to dominate those who dominate them in class. They'll have the confidence to
say that although they are not that book smart it's okay because they are physically capable.
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2. Gives them a sense of direction and purpose
Whilst the academically capable learners speak of becoming teachers, doctors, engineers and scientists, the academically challenged ones are usually at a lose for words and thoughts. They honestly don't know what they will do with their lives or how they are going to make a living. When they perform well in sports this noise inside their heads quiets down and a positive voice overcomes the negative ones. They get a reassuring feeling that even without good grades life will turn out just fine for them because they are future athletes.
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3. Keeps them out of trouble
Since they aren't busy studying and going to the library everyday, these children's minds become idle and an idle mind is the devil's workshop. To keep their minds occupied, sports provides the perfect distraction that's actually beneficial for their future. They develop self-discipline and proper norms on the sports grounds. Many life lessons are also learned there.
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Conclusion
Sports is an essential part of our daily lives. It is more so critical in the lives of our children. Learners who are struggling in their studies find solace and purpose in sports. This is why it so crucial to not take their talent for granted but to help them develop it further. This may very well be their ticket to a well off life outside academics. We're aren't all the same. We shouldn't expect our learners to be. As much as we would've liked to be supported and mentored in our passions when we were young, let us do justice to our learners that no one did for us. A child does not only learn in the classroom but also learns fundamental lessons on the sports grounds.