Kids and sports/activities

Kat - posted on 03/05/2012

My son is seven and will be eight next November. He played flag football last year and I SWORE he woudln't play tackle until he was much older. He also played soccer but I don't want him playing more than one sport at a time at this age. He already has Karate a couple of times a week, but that is more about learning self- discipline.

Then I found out from a couple of couches, and my pediatrician who coaches a team, that the earlier they learn tackle... the less they get hurt when they are playing when they are older because they learn how to handle playing tackle correctly from the beginning.

His pediatrician has camps in the summer for his seven year old team to teach them about tackle football before they can even play. I like this approach.

I know my son's flag football coach didn't have any patience with the kids and my son wasn't happy at all on that team.

So pay attention to the coach because if your child doesn't care for a sport in the biginning, it might be the coach and not the sport itself.

My son will start on his team this summer and

he like his pediatrician so he's excited. I just want him to find a sport he enjoys to teach him about playing on a team and working together to accomplish a goal as a team. And have FUN!!

I wont let him play more than one at a time because school comes first in our house.

I will post the developments I see this summer while he's at camp. I know I want my son to learn good sportsmanship from a coach.

Good luck and remember that sports are supposed to be fun!! KAT

Krista - posted on 06/21/2010

I agree completely with Sara. I think that it is good for kids to have some activities, but not to the point where it becomes a full-time job for the parents to constantly be shuttling their kids from one activity to the next. My general rule of thumb is that they can only be involved in one sport and one nonsport activity at a time. So they'll have to prioritize, because Mom and Dad can't bring them to hockey AND basketball AND volleyball AND soccer.



Now, once they're old enough to drive THEMSELVES around, they can be in as many activities as they please, as long as their grades do not suffer.

Good Day! - posted on 06/21/2010

I want my kids involved in something. I don't really care what it is as long as they like it. But I don't want them involved in everything. I know some families that never spend an evening together because they are always at some practice, meeting, game, etc. for their kids. In our family my husband and I already agreed that family time comes first, then church, then the extras. Right now Eliza (age 2) and I go to a music class once a week. She LOVES it and "plays class" at home all the time. When she's a little older I might sign her up for dance or gymnastics or t-ball, but only if she's interested.

Sherri - posted on 06/21/2010

My oldest did gymnastics at 2. My kids started soccer, karate and swimming at 3. My kids have done basketball, baseball, gymnastics, karate, soccer & swimming. I used to not like contact football at a young age but most of our friends children do and it really is not as rough as you think. It is a lot worse when they are in high school.

Amber - posted on 06/20/2010

My son started soccer this year (at 3.5) and he loves it. It's not a structured game, it's just drills and fun. He's old enough next year to start flag football and t-ball. We're probably going to do both.
We don't push him to do it, we talk to him and if he is excited for it, then we do it. It's fun for him. If it ever stops being fun, or he doesn't want to do it, then we will stop.
Our rule is that he has to finish the session, because he is not allowed to quit. Once the session is over, he doesn't have to start another.
The key for us is to let him make the decision and only do things that he finds fun. We only expect fun, not a professional in the future :)

Rosie - posted on 06/20/2010

what age for sports on a team? i'd say 5ish. my 5 year old is now showing interest in sports and he's been throught preschool and understands somewhat better what is expected of him in an environment like you encounter on a team.

i signed 2 of my boys up for flag football this fall, my oldest has aspergers, and he is 10. i've held off on these things for him because he's not good in social situations, but he really wants to play football. so this year i figured i'd give it a shot with him. i don't think i'd do tackle football until they are middle school age-11.

and yes, if my kids showed interest in something earlier (except tackle football), i'd probably let them try it. i don't see the harm in them being in a sport early. what i do see the harm in, is people who constantly push their children, and have them in tons of various sports and make their lives horribly unmanageable.

Chatty - posted on 06/20/2010

Well, Roxanne is only 21 months so we're not quite there yet BUT sports are extremely important to me.....I'm a very athletic person....well, I was.....just trying to get back on track; it's been far too long! ;)

I think sports are great as long as the parents don't put too much pressure on their children.....it needs to be a healthy constructive environment where they're able to have fun WHILE learning valuable lessons. If the "fun" aspect isn't there then they shouldn't be doing it!

My 6 year old niece is in softball, 3 different types of dance, horseback riding and most recently, RUGBY (co-ed)......it's awesome and she loves it! She actually just told my SIL that she only wants to do Hip Hop dance, not all 3 so once ballet and tap are done, that'll be it for them.

My 3 year (almost 4) old niece is in tap and ballet and she LOVES them both.....we actually just went to their dance recital this Friday past! Super cute

They're also both REALLY good lil' swimmers for their ages.

I plan to put Roxanne in as many sports as she wants and we can afford.....the final word will ALWAYS be hers though......with a lil' encouragement from me to do what I think is best, of course! ;) Roxanne LOVES the water and has already been in swimming twice....I plan to put her in gymnastics, dance, and softball as soon/young as they allow!

Team sports aren't JUST about playing sports.....they teach our children valuable lessons!

Jane - posted on 06/20/2010

My nephew started T-Ball and Australian Rules Football @ 6 years of age, and I think that is the right time. Neither of the sports are physical or rough, and in fact, over here, what they do for Football, is non-contact, and they share the ball around - like say ok it's your turn to kick, or your turn to mark, so all the kids get a turn!! It's totally non-competitive, just a way to make sure the kids have a great time, and are a part of a team!!

Teresa - posted on 06/15/2010

My girls started gymnastics at 5.5 years old... the summer after Kindergarten. They've been in it for 3 years straight (minus the session right after their brother was born). Last year (3rd grade) was the first year I let them do soccer. They'll be doing it again this year.

I'm a big fan of having kids involved in something... especially w/ physical activity, but I'm also a big fan of 'less is more'. As for 'rough' sports... my son is only 2 right now, so ask me in a few more years. ;)

Meghan - posted on 06/15/2010

I am encouraging team sports...basically any kinds of extra cirricular activity, as soon as Joshua is old enough to partake...however I wont be preasuring him to do them. If he finds a sport he likes, I will encourage it and support it. I don't have any crazy aspirations for a 20 month old!
I think after school activities are very important..teaches social skills, team work, ethic, keeps them out of trouble blah blah blah.

Amy - posted on 06/15/2010

my son is 3 (almost 4) i dont think i would let him play any rough sport at this age, i think when he is old enough to understand what happens and that he can fully understand that he could get seriously injured playing but i would still be very worried... i dont think 4 is two young to start soft sport, my son is starting a hip hop dance class (for his age) so its just the softer moves no backflips, head spins ect.

children change thier minds alot!! just because a child shows a interest in something and enjoys something doesn't mean they are going to always enjoy it or evan get a career out of it. i think encouragment is good but i will never push him to do something he doesn't want to or push him to the point that its not fun anymore but he feels like he will disapoint me if he quits.. all i care about is that my son is safe and happy and enjoys things. if he doesn't like dance he can try something else if he wants. does that make sense? lol