The Effectiveness of Classroom Sports Activities in Developing Cooperation and Teamwork Skills among First Grade Students

Abstract

This research investigates the effectiveness of classroom sports activities in fostering cooperation and teamwork skills among first-grade students in Bani Walid. The study’s significance stems from the urgent need to develop modern educational strategies that create a more harmonious classroom environment and prepare students for effective participation from an early age. Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, the research involved a sample of 80 students, divided into an experimental group that engaged in interactive sports activities and a control group taught via traditional methods. Measurement tools included standardized tests for cooperation, social interaction scales, and structured classroom observations to monitor individual and collective behaviors. The results revealed that the experimental group achieved a statistically significant increase in cooperation levels, with the mean score rising from 12.4 to 21.8 after the intervention. Furthermore, social interaction improved significantly, increasing from a mean of 10.6 to 19.2. Conversely, individualistic behaviors markedly decreased in the experimental group, dropping from a mean of 15.3 to 8.7. These findings align with previous literature emphasizing that interactive activities enhance communication and leadership skills. The study concludes that integrating classroom sports into the curriculum is a potent educational approach for building a balanced personality and preparing a generation capable of facing educational challenges with a team spirit. The research recommends training teachers to design interactive physical activities and encourages schools to allocate weekly sessions for cooperative sports to improve the overall classroom environment