| For some parents across the country, weekends are | | | | defenders. It also encourages and rewards players for |
| measured in soccer game start times, baseball innings | | | | unselfish play in passing the ball to others to score. It |
| and tournament scores. Researchers estimate that | | | | necessitates an understanding between all players and |
| over 14 million children play one type of organized | | | | the coach when plays are created in practice or called |
| sport and several of those youngsters play multiple | | | | out during the game. Basketball is a game of |
| sports depending on the season. Sports are important | | | | camaraderie and the more time a team spends |
| for teaching good sportsmanship, goal-setting, | | | | together practicing, the better they know where |
| teamwork, and for encouraging children to have an | | | | teammates will be during any given play in the game. |
| active lifestyle. Aside from these obvious advantages, | | | | Recently, the National Basketball Association has seen |
| organized sports can also play a much larger and | | | | an influx of international players as well. There are |
| culturally significant role as well. | | | | players from all different walks of life and several |
| Sports combine athletic as well as social skills and mix | | | | different age groups, as the NBA allows high school |
| them up into an organized framework. Children are | | | | players to participate. Basketball is a very popular |
| often required to put aside their own desires and ego | | | | international Olympic sport and thousands of fans from |
| for the sake of their team. They spend time learning | | | | every different country come out to support their |
| from and befriending teammates who often are more | | | | team during the trials and 2 week events. |
| like brothers and sisters than mere friends. Team | | | | 3. Football - - In football, we truly see the uniform |
| uniforms are worn to signify solidarity and equality; | | | | disguising all differences. The helmets children wear to |
| everyone's uniform looks the same. Children learn to | | | | protect themselves also offers a mask to hide skin |
| play, strategize and communicate with people from all | | | | color, gender differences and cultural distinctions as |
| walks of life; those of different religions, race, ethnicity, | | | | well. Everyone looks the same on the football field; |
| gender and culture and work toward a common goal - | | | | there is no one better than another; the great equalizer. |
| winning. They are often exposed at an early age to | | | | This helps children to be judged more on their ability to |
| those that are different from themselves but possess | | | | play, rather than what they look like or where they |
| equal or greater skills and they come to realize that | | | | come from. Football, like Baseball and Basketball |
| everyone is different, but differences can be strengths | | | | requires communication skills between teammates as |
| as well. Consider the following sports when looking for | | | | well as a desire to unselfishly sacrifice oneself for |
| a diverse team activity for your child: | | | | another teammate. |
| 1. Baseball - - Baseball not only requires good | | | | 4. Other Sports Programs - - There are a number of |
| communication from all team members; pitcher and | | | | other special sports programs in communities across |
| catcher, outfielder to infielder and between the out and | | | | the country that focus on helping children with |
| in-fielders themselves, it also encourages children to | | | | disabilities participate and establish relationships. Special |
| assist struggling teammates who are not performing | | | | baseball fields, basketball courts and tennis facilities |
| well. By succeeding individually, children help contribute | | | | allow children in wheelchairs, walkers and on crutches |
| to a winning team environment and each child knows | | | | to play sports alongside of their peers. Mixed leagues |
| that even though he or she may not have their best | | | | provide children without physical disabilities the chance |
| game that day, one of their teammates will pick up the | | | | to participate and learn about children that are different |
| slack. | | | | from themselves. |
| Major League Baseball also has many international | | | | Although many people may consider sports divisive |
| stars and role-models that children of different | | | | and ego-driven with all players performing for |
| ethnicities and nationalities can look up to and admire. | | | | themselves, parents can use sports as an opportunity |
| There are players from Japan, Korea, Canada, the US, | | | | to teach children about the satisfaction that comes |
| Australia, Mexico, Cuba and several other countries | | | | from being part of a team. Children can learn life |
| around the globe. MLB has training centers in a number | | | | lessons as they play; leadership, teamwork, social skills |
| of Central and South American countries and are | | | | and they can also learn that people that look, speak or |
| constantly providing instruction and education for their | | | | play differently from themselves are people that they |
| players. The teams play exhibition games overseas | | | | want to get to know and become friends with. |
| and have created a World Baseball Classic which | | | | Children are open to learning about others and |
| features international teams competing against each | | | | accepting those who are different. We as parents |
| other for the title. | | | | need to be conscious of what we are teaching and |
| 2. Basketball - - Basketball requires communication as | | | | the opportunities that we provide to them for doing |
| well. While on the court, players make each other | | | | just that. |
| aware of their positions as well as the position of the | | | | |