One of the main reasons parents get their children involved in youth sports is so that they can meet friends. The child will likely have an easy time getting along with other children who are playing the same sport. Friends have a positive effect on a child because it makes him feel like he belongs.
Children learn important lessons about teamwork when they play youth sports. While playing basketball, for example, the child will learn that unless other players don't pass the ball or guard the other team, no one will make a shot. As the child grows older, she will use those teamwork lessons at school and eventually at work.
Participating in youth sports can teach a child to set goals and to work toward accomplishing them. The child will learn that without work and practice, he can't win. If his team wins a game or a tournament, he will get the feeling of satisfaction that goes along with hard work paying off.
Most children who play youth sports also must deal with defeat. Parents can choose to look at this as a good or a bad thing. It can be good because everyone will suffer defeat at some point in life. Learning how to deal with it early will prepare the child for bigger defeats that will almost certainly come later in life. It could also be a negative if the defeat makes the child afraid to try.
Some children burn out from sports when they begin playing at a young age. Burnout happens when the sport becomes more of a job than a game. The child may become overstressed by the sport and can end up quitting at a young age.