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5 year old boy and starting to play sports. Too much too soon?

Maria - posted on 09/03/2009 ( 3 moms have responded )

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I have a 5 year old son who just started Kindergarten two weeks ago. He is way, WAY bigger than most kids his age (50 inches, 60 lbs) but is probably just the same or a little less in maturity. T-ball and soccer are offered for kids as young as 4 where we live and most kids play. I signed him up for Tball (will start next week). I am worried that with the time commitments for practice which are thru the week 1hour and a possible second practice that it is too much for him to handle with all day kindergarten. He has to be up by 6:30 am to be out the door by 7:30 to be on time for school. I also have a 3 year old and 1 year old that I have to tote along for practices and such. Plus my 3 year old does gymnastics once a week in the evening. Is this too much? It seems like I am neglecting my son if I don't put him in sports because he's a big kid. He really likes to play with other kids but I don't feel he has the focus or competitive nature yet to tackle sports. Am I doing him a disservice by not letting him play? My husband seems to think that he will come into his own by the time he is 9/10 years old and I should just let him play whatever he wants ie. superheros, imaginary friends etc and not worry about sports too much.

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3 Comments

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Lucy - posted 6 days ago

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Well, this looks like a very old thread, but I decided to post anyway.

Maria, if you are still part of this network, I was wondering how things developed with your son. I have a very big son as well - he is 4.5 year old and 48 inches high. He is also built quite strong and is interested in competitive and contact sports - typical guy! :>)

I am going to wait until he is at least 5, I don't think that he has the mental maturity now to join an organized sport, although he seems quite keen. I am uncertain as to what sport he should join. Any recommendation from your experience so far?

Bethanie - posted on 09/05/2009

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Hi Maria! You never really mentioned if your son wants to do sports or not. If he is interested, I really don't think it's too early at all. Both my sons (now 11 & 8) started in Kindergarten--a little baseball, a little soccer. None of it was too competitive and or too hard on them. This is a great chance for them to get to know more kids their age, and find out what sport fit them, plus they're outside and getting exercise--a win anyway you put it. If you start them at too late an age, the other kids are going to have an advantage if they've already played and sometimes this can have an effect of their self-esteem. Also, at this age, the sports aren't usually as expensive and if they don't like it, then don't push them too hard--you just want them to be happy. Now my 11 yr.old plays year round comp soccer--loves it, and the 8 year old only wants to do baseball in the summer--like I said, as long as they're happy. Hope this helped!

Jodie - posted on 09/03/2009

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Hello Maria, i dont know if this will help but when my son started school he joined so many differnt sports that i felt like i never saw him, only to taxi him to and fro, he is now 6 and still does Football 2 days a week, Judo, Inline Skating 3 times a week, multi sports and running. I was worried at one stage but reading in papers about kids who sit in front of the TV all the time and do no exersice i am pleased that he has such a wide range of skills. If he ever wishes to give it up, that would be ok to. If he is happy so am i.

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