There are both advantages and disadvantages to elementary school children's participation in organized team sports

Question

What will be an ideal response?
a. Describe at least two advantages and two disadvantages.
b. Recommend reasonable steps that can enhance the advantages and offset the disadvantages.

Answer 1

Responses to the two parts of the question are as follows:
a. Examples of possible advantages and disadvantages include the following:

Advantages
· Engaging children in healthful, productive activities
· Maintaining or enhancing strength, endurance, and agility
· Promoting the development of cooperation, communication, and leadership skills
Disadvantages
· Placing excessive pressure on winning, at the expense of developing skills and having fun
· Focusing children's attention on competing against—rather than cooperating with—their peers
· Especially when the emphasis is on winning, less talented children may get less playing time than more talented children.

b. Possible strategies include the following:
? Include all interested children.
? Stress the importance of having fun and developing skills.
? Give all team members equal playing time.
? If applicable, let children take different positions (e.g., in softball, rotate such positions as catcher, baseman, and outfielder).
? Communicate with parents that children's development is better served when the emphasis is on skill development rather than on winning.