When considering the benefits of participating on a sports team, many will first think of the physical benefits of exercise, like maintaining fitness, reducing stress, and long-term health. However, there is one benefit less often discussed: mental and social development, especially for children with intellectual disabilities (ID). For many children with ID, participating in sports teams allows them to practice such skills, like waiting for their turn, collaborating with coaches and teammates, forming friendships, and coping with a loss or setback. Most importantly, they serve as a space for students with ID to better understand themselves and gain confidence.
When they play on teams, children improve upon their skills within their sport, and often receive praise from their peers when they succeed. The friendships children make when participating in Unified Sports often translate into other environments as well, including academic or recreational activities. Furthermore, the environments created by sports teams allow children to express creativity and develop a sense of identity. Whereas in classrooms, children are simply evaluated on their ability to provide the right answer , many recreational sports teams focus on having fun and discovering creative ways to overcome obstacles. The skills fostered through participation in the unique environments of recreational sports programs are important for many aspects of students’ lives.
By Arielle Papalimberis, Research Assistant at the Center for Social Development and Education