Hamilton Spectator
2014년 4월 25일
Discovering the invaluable lessons of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in the world of sports and arts.
Opinion.
Arts, sports and lessons for life.
Learning teamwork, discipline and responsibility helps children find success
April 25, 2014
We have a crazy household to contend with. With children, there is always something to do or somewhere to go other than the usual school days, functions and appointments. My mother always told me that this would be the best time in my life. She was right. Busy is good.
Two of my daughters are involved with rep basketball and the other one with drum line. There are so many merits to developing the whole person and learning various skills via these pursuits that will be essential to success later in life.
The basketball players are determined and excited to play for Ancaster and Dundas teams. They make sure that they are not late for practice. Their coaches have taught the girls time management, communication and problem-solving skills, all in the process of having fun and doing their best. The coaches are so selfless. Some are dads and some are not parents. All care for the kids and help them to be the best basketball players and individuals they can be. They are stellar role models. I am so proud when my girls do well on the court and they look back at me with a smile on their faces after they score a basket.
Sports are important, however, I am also impressed by my other daughter’s work on her high school’s drum line. I cannot stress enough the significant contributions of the arts to an overall, well-rounded education. The talented young people in her group work so very hard to perfect complicated routines and I am thrilled by their talent and considerable work ethic. My heart leaped the first time I saw my daughter in the full black and gold uniform with patent leather shoes and feathered hat, performing so proficiently onstage in Hamilton. Drum line is a great musical and physical activity. The leaders of drum line, who spend weekends and evenings devoted to teaching the kids, watching them develop and travelling with them, are truly remarkable and inspirational.
Basketball and drum line teach the importance of teamwork, discipline and responsibility. I watch my daughters play basketball and drum so diligently. They work with their team/band mates and each relies on others in the group for overall success. The discipline of practice is ingrained in them and they know they must get all their homework done and prepare for tests and exams in spite of these outside activities.
In terms of confidence and self esteem, the ability to be able to get up in front of others to perform and compete is something that is built through experience. These activities foster positive personal growth that will serve them well for years to come.
Besides the physical benefits of sports or marching on long parade routes, taking part in competitions, provincial music championships and musical rock battles, learning perseverance is also a positive outcome. My girls push through injuries and tears on the court to get up and go on. This takes courage. When the crowd claps to encourage them, it’s great to watch. Observing my eldest carry a heavy drum, setting up and taking down the equipment and marching along parade routes in rain, snow or shine, lets me know she must really love drum line. When things get tough, the tough get going: This is an essential learned life skill. Music also builds bridges to any barriers and unites people in a profound way.
Learning that things don’t always go well in life or that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, is another life lesson. The girls take the disappointments with the good and go forward; there’s no point looking back.
We, as a family, have developed a social network via these activities. It is wonderful to see the girls developing friendships and the parents as well. These friendships grow in the gyms or on the road to tournaments, parades, competitions and at functions. Many area parents can relate to this time of year and its accompanying challenges and excitement.
Most importantly, the kids have found their niche. Whether in sports or the in arts, they enjoy their activities and being around like-minded individuals who understand and appreciate the personal commitment shown by the leaders, the kids and their parents.