Last Friday we invited a professor in sport and education psychology to give us a talk on the importance of sports in child development. I myself learned a lot from her.
She first tried to answer the question that many Chinese parents had: what's the use of sports. Can it help my kid getting into a top school? Since more time spent on sports means less time on study, they want to make sure their time is well-spent. The question itself is so Chinese and so short-sighted.
There should be no doubt that sports can help children develop into a mentally and psychological wholesome person, not just a bookworm or nerdy. Parents should have their eyes on a large time frame, that is, in the long run, there are many things that are more important than study, like having a strong body, wholesome personality, a strong character, being resilient, not fragile, having friends, etc. Kids can get all these through sports.
The delightful news for many Chinese parents is sports help children learn better by enhancing their memory, improving concentrations, cultivating their planning and decision-making abilities, and strengthening synaptic connections.
Yesterday, when I talked to a friend of mine about getting some accomplishments in life, she reminds me that accomplishments are important. Equally important is the physical and psychological health. So well-said!
There is a Chinese saying: 生命在于运动 (Shēngmìng zàiyú yùndòng), To live, one must exercise. The saying emphasizes the importance of physical activity and exercise for maintaining a vibrant life. For people of all ages, an active lifestyle is crucial for maintaining our vitality.