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Cheerleading Child Development

Decent Essays

Every parent wants to encourage their child’s development and ensure that they are developing on pace or even above their peers. How can parents accomplish this goal and give their children an opportunity to achieve appropriate developmental milestones? The answer lies in the hobbies of the child and how these activities affect their development. Involvement in activities leads to greater development in children overall. However, the greatest opportunity for children to grow and adapt to the changes occurring during child development appears in one particular activity. Cheerleading is the best activity to encourage social, psychological, and physical growth in children.
Despite the cheerleading stereotype of a “ditzy, dumb blonde”, cheerleaders …show more content…

“On a team, children learn to embrace their unique abilities among other children” (Merkel). If a child were to lack ability in one position, there are several other positions for them to try until the child finds their talent. A cheerleading squad cannot function without the ability of all members. This aspect of cheerleading gives a sense of purpose within their team and makes every child feel empowered and important. Furthermore, cheerleading does not require a certain body type, rather it allows individuals to develop a physically appealing body through strenuous exercise. Looking at a cheerleading squad, there are children of many sizes, physiques and abilities and no two cheerleaders are alike. Every cheerleader’s body is celebrated, because their body type has purpose within the team. For example, girls who grow to be “awkwardly tall” can use this trait to succeed as the back spot in stunting which is an imperative position within a squad. Instead of bringing shame to an individual, cheerleading allows children to obtain a positive image of their body, because their body creates skills that are important to the team. Positive body image is important in a child’s development of self concept. With a positive start in self-concept, individuals will hold an advantage over their peers as they will not be as susceptible to …show more content…

“Through winning, losing, and hours of practice and hard work, cheerleading helps girls bond and form lifelong friendships” (Diranian). In cheerleading, girls form bonds with their teammates through activities of trust such as stunting and tumbling. One cheerleading doctrine is the inclusion of every individual on the team. Unlike other sports, cheerleading requires heavy cooperation between children as every child has to interact with all of their teammates to be successful. These interactions introduce children to social skills such as seeing another’s point of view and creating constructive arguments. On most teams, teammates do not always agree on matters. In cheerleading, difference perspectives must be considered to solve an issue and all teammates must cooperate in order to find resolution. With this trait, cheerleading creates individual who can solve problems efficiently by applying their knowledge and the experience of others. This factor cause cheerleaders to demonstrate stronger social skills than their peers. A student who can communicate with others efficiently and work well with others will continue to succeed well above their peers in social

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