by the Editor We all know how important exercise is for our kids' bodies.  It improves physical fitness, builds muscles and bones and assists in the fight against childhood obesity. However, the benefits of sport extend much further.  Through sport, children learn many life lessons, including fair play, confidence, self motivation, social skills, listening skills, teamwork,  responsibility, concentration and  focus.

Neil Montagnana-Wallace and Mark Schwarzer, co-authors of the Megs series of kids books, use the world game of football to address some significant issues.

'Sport is an inspirational thing', Neil says.  'It teaches kids that goals can be achieved,  and it illustrates the joy of reaching shared goals. Think of all the life lessons that can be learned through sport - you can't always win, but you can try your best each time; sometimes to achieve you need to work in a team; sometimes you miss out; it's just as difficult to win gracefully as it is to lose gracefully.'

Dr Richard Light, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney, and author of 'Sport in the Lives of Young Australians' reminds us not to lose sight of the other ways in which sport can contribute to the development of young people.

Dr. Light studied children within school, club and social environments around Australia. Children as young as 10 years old showed the ability to reflect on the conflicting messages from elite and professional 'media' sport. "If we can play fairly, then why can't footy players, who get paid to play?" said one.

A look at nippers and surf life saving clubs showed how the children developed on a number of levels: friendships with older kids and adults through the surf club 'community'; the ability to decide on how competitive to be; and social responsibility for those who went on to take an active role in patrolling were important aspects.

Participation in sport also improves kids' confidence and self-esteem.  From a social perspective, children can make new friends and feel that they can fit in.  The sense of accomplishment when doing well at sport is also a confidence-booster. The Australian Sport Commission suggests that parents make sure the sports a child plays are one's they're well suited to, so that they can maximise their own potential.  

Neil Montagnana-Wallace also believes that participating in sport gives kids the opportunity to succeed at something, and that it teaches them the value of hard work.   'Everyone has something they're good at - but many people don't have the courage of conviction to know their strengths ... and then to give themselves the chance to succeed at them.'

'Sports people are heroes to kids and to adults because they appear to live dream lives. But the reality is, those lives have come about through sheer hard work in an area that they have found that they are good at.  Successful sportspeople - and same goes for dancers, artists, gardeners or anyone in any field - become successful because they've acted on their convictions. '

Neil says that many of these life lessons are addressed in the Megs Series, and that he hopes that reading the Megs books will energise kids into following their dreams. 'How wonderful it would be if using the game, as we have, to address general 'life issues' helps readers to find focus and purpose in their own lives, regardless of where their passion lies?'

From a personal perspective, Neil recalls his childhood, when his life revolved around sport.  'I hung my identity on it and learned a lot in the process'.  But it was only when in his mid to late twenties that  he came to realise and appreciate the special role that sport had played in teaching him about life.

The New York University Child Study Center offers some excellent insights into kids and sport.  Their research shows that kids who do sport have less anxiety and depression and engage in less risky behaviour.  In addition, their studies suggest that sport improves reflexes, attention, focus and thinking, and can help improve academic performance. 

Siimilarly, Neil Montagnana-Wallace says he hopes that kids' love of sport can also encourage their school work and their love of reading. 

'Reading can open minds to new ideas and new perspectives, and for me, so too did writing', he says. ' And that's why these days I get angry when kids stick themselves in a 'sporty' pigeon hole, a 'nerdy' pigeon hole or any other pigeon hole besides.   It's a world full of opportunity, and sport can provide life lessons to assist in taking advantage of the opportunities: discipline, teamwork, hard work, creativity, the joy of success, the heartbreak of loss'.

Stay tuned for the second part of this series where we examine sports behaviour for parents and kids.

All the ‘Megs’ books use the world game of football to address some significant issues, and of course, have plenty of footballing fun. They aren’t just books about football, and they’re sure to get kids excited about reading. 

To read more about Megs books, click here.

Other Links:

Australian Sports Commission

University of Sydney

New York University - About Our Kids

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