Social skills development: the impact of sports participation

Abstract

Past research examining the benefits of sports participation has largely focused on middle school, high school, and college age students. The current study expanded the age range by looking at upper elementary school students. Cowart et al. (2004) examined the relationship between social skills and recreational activity preferences using parent report for K to 8th grade students. The aim of this study is to obtain information from the children's perceptive regarding differences in social skills behaviors between gender and types of sport participation. Although there was no difference in type of sport participation, results demonstrate that there was a difference between gender and social skills behaviors. When asked to identify one activity that helped them do better in school, participants perceived that a passive recreational activity involving technology helped them achieve in the classroom. It may be important for educators to integrate technological methods into their classroom instruction in order to promote positive benefits to learning. In addition, student perception of the benefits of technology on their academic achievement can be generalized to social skills development. As School Psychologists, we can use this information to be creative in teaching and practicing social skills with the students through use of technology.