Instilling values
When I was a child I wasn't so sporty at all. I thought sports was just for those gifted with physical assets so I didn't get involved, although I joined in some board games which counted as legitimate sports. I thought games such as scrabble and chess were very fun to play, not to mention how competitive others were in their determination to win.
This summer a lot of outfits are offering summer clinics, others are even offering them free. Although it is very enticing, the turnout isn't as good. Could this be because of how gadgets could be more fun? Or simply because children have lost interest in going out or getting involved in physical activities? Studies have shown that exposing young ones to gadgets with screens can delay their speech development. I also think that this restrains child from socializing with others. My childhood was filled with outdoor activities. At 3 p.m. my friends would look for me in my house so we will start our daily set of games to be played outside. They weren't necessarily sports, but we sure sweated it out. These games included traditional Filipino games like patintero, bato-lata, and siatong. I had so much fun making friends and enhancing my skills in these outdoor games. Now that I'm a young adult, I can look at those people whom I have played with and share these sentiments. It expanded my network and gave me a sense of community.
A coach also said sports instill values in children, teaching them discipline, teamwork, and leadership among others. These are values that are difficult to teach inside the classroom or even your home. I believe there is a huge difference between children who have played outside compared to those who stayed home doing nothing.
It is time for parents and guardians to rethink how they let children spend their summer days. If they want children to learn traits that cannot be taught by mere teachers then sports and other disciplines such as art and music can bring out the best in them.
We are halfway done with the summer months. I wish that parents would make do with what is free for their children to have. I stand firm that sports brings out values which have been forgotten and even not known by children of today so I'm betting my life that sports can make the youth have a more productive vacation. By the time school comes, they will be more prepared to take on the challenges bearing in mind what they have learned plus the work ethic they have developed. If sports, music, and art can nourish a child's holistic being then it should be a part of growing up.
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