Writing for Academic Discussion Team sports or individual sports for children? - revised -

Some believe that individual sports foster independence and self-discipline, while others argue that team sports teach valuable social skills and teamwork. What is your perspective on this issue? Which type of sport do you think is more beneficial for children, and why?

 

 

☆Let’s Read

Read the following excerpt from a homepage of kidsportcanada, picking up how team sports and individual sports affect children mentally.

 

Team Vs Individual Sports – Which Is Best?     Posted By Alberta   September 11, 2023

Most parents recognize the importance of sports and physical activity to their child’s development. We know that these activities provide a wealth of advantages for children’s mental, emotional, social, and physical health, as well as help to encourage a healthy lifestyle and teach important life skills that will benefit the children in the future. Many parents, however, wonder whether team sports or individual sports are the best option for their kid. To assist you in making the best choice for your child, let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of both choices.

 

Team Sports’ Positive Effects

Team sports, according to Active Kids, have advantages beyond the physical. They cultivate crucial interpersonal and social abilities that can endure a lifetime. The chance to develop cooperation and teamwork is one of the main advantages of team sports. Children learn how to collaborate to achieve a common objective, become aware of the different personalities of their teammates, and grow in compassion and support for one another. A child’s sense of self-worth and confidence is increased by being part of a team, since it fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness.

 

Team sports teach important lessons in leadership and communication. Children develop their capacity to communicate ideas, pay attention to others, and reach consensus when they interact and plan with their peers. These abilities apply to many facets of life, including academics and their future careers.

 

Individual Sports’ Positive Effects

Individual sports provide their own set of benefits. Solo sports place more emphasis on self-discipline and personal development than team sports, since in team sports success frequently depends on teamwork. Individual sports teach kids the value of perseverance, goal-setting, and self-motivation by putting them in charge of their performance and advancement. They gain the ability to challenge themselves, push their limits, and become more determined.

 

As Calgary’s Child said, individual athletics promote a thorough grasp of one’s talents and flaws. Children develop a higher sense of self-awareness because they are pushed to go within themselves and learn what helps and hinders them personally in their performance, which breeds self-analysis and personal growth not only as an athlete, but as a person.

 

The Challenges with Team Sports

Though it’s clear that team sports have many benefits, there are also some challenges. Managing potential disputes amongst teammates is one of the major obstacles, according to Active Kids. Different personalities and ability levels can occasionally result in clashes, which call for mediation and resolution from coaches and parents. In addition, when playing team sports, individual accomplishments may be eclipsed by the team’s performance, which can be upsetting for some kids who want to be recognized for their efforts.

 

The Challenges with Individual Sports

Like team sports, individual sports have unique challenges. The solitary nature of these sports may cause feelings of loneliness or isolation, particularly during demanding practice sessions or competitions. Children who play individual sports may also miss out on the teamwork and bonding that come with being part of a team. 

 

The self-driven character of individual athletics, according to Calgary’s Child, necessitates high levels of devotion and determination. Some kids can find it difficult to maintain their discipline and attention without the help and encouragement of teammates.

 

Kids can benefit greatly from team and individual sports while also facing different hurdles. Individual sports encourage self-discipline, self-awareness, and personal progress, whereas team sports enhance collaboration, communication, and social skills. Rather than seeing individual and team sports as competing possibilities, we should consider them complementary and see the benefit of giving children the opportunity to learn and grow in both environments.

 

For your child to learn about their preferences and interests, encourage them to participate in both team and individual sports. Both sports will teach participants valuable life lessons that will help them in many different facets of their lives. In the end, what counts most is that kids use the power of play to discover happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Have you ever regularly played sports? If so, share your experience related to this topic. If you have played a team sport, have you been more socialized and become better at social skills than you would have been without the experience? Why? If you have played an individual sport, have you become more independent and self-disciplined than you would have otherwise?

 

2.        What is your answer to the professor’s question?

                                                                                            

 

☆Hints for Points

1.       Humans are social animals and need social skills to survive, so team sports are more preferable.

 

2.       Most children can learn social skills and teamwork naturally without team sports, while self-discipline and independence might not be acquired easily without individual ports. Children can practice them while witnessing their effects on the development of their ability.

 

3.       Individual aptitude and personal preference count in sports.

 

4.       Regardless of types, it is important for the child to be able to enjoy the sport and grow mentally and physically by doing it. 

 

 

☆Sample Answer

【Thesis】Though Maya makes a good point in that team sports effectively socialize children. I am more on the side of Liam because all children can benefit from individual sport while not all of them can benefit from team sports.

【Supporting Details】Individual sports are holistic. Whether it is swimming, gymnastics, or short track, all the procedures are done by the solo player. This makes the child more focused on the play and the practice. The child voluntarily starts self-control and self-management to improve performances. This gives satisfaction to not only introverts and those who are not good with balls but also all children of any nature.

【Counterargument-treatment】Maya’s point that activities like strategizing in football or basketball effectively strengthens bonds is true, but that is only part of the team-sport practice. Other than the leading players like quarterbacks, most players defend their position without much moves. Outfielders on a baseball team, for example, may just keep standing alone around his position throughout the game. They hardly ever move except for the time for basic workouts. While this might be effective in learning to be altruistic, which is an essential quality to be a good citizen, it can be learned in other scenes of life such as school project, and it could even produce an organization person that never thinks by themselves in collective actions.

【Conclusion】After all, sports must be fun in the first place, and for this matter too, individual sports are more beneficial to all children than team sports. (247 words)

 

 

☆Sample Answer Structures

Sample A

Thesis

Point & Supporting Details

Why the advantage of the Other Choice is not important

Conclusion