Enhanced Self-Esteem
- Sense of empowerment
- Feelings of accomplishment
- Ability to generate internal rewards
- Sense of competence
- Ability to meet mental and physical challenges
- Feelings of confidence and poise
- Appreciation of self
Improved Learning Skills
- Direction following
- Sequencing ability
- Task organization
- Self-initiative
- Self-control
- Fine and gross motor skill development
- Increased attention span
- Tolerance of constructive criticism
- Ability to focus/concentrate
- Recognition of what is expected and ability to follow through
- Ability to work both independently and within a group setting
Enhanced Essential Life Skills
- Self-discipline
- Empathy
- Honesty
- Patience
- Work ethic
- Impulse and anxiety control
- Independence
- Frustration tolerance
- Emotional control
- Acceptance of responsibility for actions/consequences
- Capacity to say “no”
- Decision-making
- Trust
- Feelings expression
- Appropriate risk-taking
Improved Interpersonal Relationship Skills
- Respect for authority figures
- Observation of limits/boundaries
- Ability to generate and utilize alternatives to “acting out” behaviors
- Receptivity to positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors
- Development of capacity for trust, love and commitment
- Practice of new/different roles within group, family, classroom and other settings
- Involvement in age-appropriate activities
Strengthened Leisure Skills
- Opportunity for fresh air and exercise
- Opportunity to connect with friends/make new friends
- Potential to develop a lifelong interest
- Opportunity to interact with/care for animals
- Capacity for release of endorphins stemming from exercise
- Identification of alternatives to sedentary activities such as television and video games
- Opportunity for relaxation and stress reduction
Physical Benefits
- Development of body awareness
- Improvement of movement/athletic skills
- Development of balance, coordination and good posture
- Enhancement of capacity to model appropriate behavior
- Balance of right and left hemispheres of brain