I think some kind of team-based activity is very good for development, but it does not have to be a sport. Just something where they learn how to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others, and have the experience of needing the whole team to succeed together rather than going purely on individual effort. Something that reinforces the idea that it’s good to accept help from others, and that offering help to others makes everyone stronger. Too much focus on just individual achievement encourages hypercompetitiveness and a cut-throat approach to competition.

For my tween daughter, team sports have been critically important. It is also a safe place for her from the drama that can happen at school.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your kid.

If they like to practice and know exactly what they need to do, maybe activities like rowing, swimming or dance or piano or archery are good.

If they like randomness, go for tennis or soccer or fencing or waterpolo.

I have no idea what this means

I was on a low level no cut sport in high school and love it for the team atmosphere. I wasn’t a very athletic kid and it was good for me physically but wonderful for me socially and emotionally.

I made sure my kids joined some team sports from the time they were in elementary school. It didn’t have to be club or travel or year round but something for the social benefits. They also had periods of time where they did individual sports like martial arts and dance, so I also see and appreciate the benefits in those.

Nil.

Ballet isn’t a sport but they definitely work together as a team to put on a production. The corps de ballet is absolutely a team. Maybe she is just at the level of class taking but when she transitions to performances, she will get those same challenges like a sports team.

My daughter has learned the same kind of lessons dancing that you learn in a sport - being resilient in the face of disappointment (not a sport loss but not getting a role she auditioned for), how to work together even when some personalities are challenging, fighting through physical weariness etc.

It depends on your kid.

If they like to practice and know exactly what they need to do, maybe activities like rowing, swimming or dance or piano or archery are good.

If they like randomness, go for tennis or soccer or fencing or waterpolo.

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. I only did individual sports and competed at a high level. My kids do team sports and I love it for them and wish I had done them as a kid. My oldest kid's travel team is like a family, and my kid has benefited so much from the social aspect of team sports. Whereas, in my sport, I had a bunch of "frenemies" - everything was always a competition, even though we spent a ton of time together.

Interesting. I was on a team sport growing up and hated it, wanted to quit, and wasn't allowed. All the kids were like the moms on Dance Moms with their snarky comments and undermining.

There are benefits to both, but I think the most important aspect is finding an activity that your kids enjoy. There's no benefit to playing a team sport if your kid isn't interested in the sport itself. You could try a tennis or swim team but those are different sorts of "teams" than other team sports because you're still competing as an individual (I suppose playing doubles in tennis or swimming a relay would be the closest comparison). If your kids enjoy what they are doing and are making friends while doing it, that's fine!

I don't know. I only did individual sports and competed at a high level. My kids do team sports and I love it for them and wish I had done them as a kid. My oldest kid's travel team is like a family, and my kid has benefited so much from the social aspect of team sports. Whereas, in my sport, I had a bunch of "frenemies" - everything was always a competition, even though we spent a ton of time together.

My college freshman has done martial arts as their only sport since age 6. Not participating in a team sport hasn’t been a problem at all.

OP are your kids just doing swim and tennis? Not on tennis or swim teams?

If they are just doing them I would put them on a team so that they can get the experience. My kids do basketball, track and swim (summer league and club team). Their best friends are the summer team, then club, and finally basketball.

Not all kids/people can work as a team it’s not a big deal.

You're overthinking it. There are advantages to doing what they're doing also. Don't worry about it either way.

After reading something a few days ago, it occurred to me that although all of my children are involved in a lot of sports/activities, none of them are team sports all together they do ballet, ice skating, tennis, and swim... it's not that I'm bothered by the social aspect because they all make a lot of friends during their activities and I really enjoy the camaraderie they've fostered in each activity but I keep hearing the benefits of team sports and I suppose they're not really experiencing that. Is that bad? Or am I overthinking this?