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Organized Sports - Good Idea or Bad Plan?
By Maria Connor
Organized sports have long been popular with parents of preschoolers. Armed with video cameras and lawn chairs, parents everywhere spend weekends cheering on scores of preschoolers chasing soccer balls (sometimes going the wrong direction) and swinging at a baseball perched on a tee (while the miniature outfielders play in the dirt). However, there are pros and cons to sports that parents of preschoolers need to be aware of.
Parents are enrolling children in organized athletics earlier and earlier, a trend some professionals view with concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns:
- Sports that exceed a child’s skill level may create feelings of frustration and failure
- Basic motor skills such as throwing and kicking do not develop any sooner as a result of exposure
- Volunteer coaches typically lack formal training in child development and may try to teach skills children are not able to master
For some families, sports are a tradition, not just a recreational past time. Parents can share this tradition with their preschoolers by volunteering to coach, attending sporting events or simply spending a sunny afternoon together practicing putts or throwing a ball around.
- Structured activity of 15-20 minutes suits a preschooler’s short attention span
- Look for programs designed to introduce basic skills and concepts rather than competitive leagues
- Evaluate your preschooler’s skills to determine his level of readiness
- Consider independent athletics such as gymnastics or karate instead of team sports
- Keep it fun
Before signing your preschooler up organized sports, parents should consider the pros and cons. Make sure the activity is a match for the preschooler's abilities and temperament, and stay involved to make sure the experience is a good one.
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Organized sports have long been popular with parents of preschoolers. Armed with video cameras and lawn chairs, parents everywhere spend weekends cheering on scores of preschoolers chasing soccer balls (sometimes going the wrong direction) and swinging at a baseball perched on a tee (while the miniature outfielders play in the dirt). However, there are pros and cons to sports that parents of preschoolers need to be aware of.
Are Preschoolers Ready for Organized Sports?
Parents are enrolling children in organized athletics earlier and earlier, a trend some professionals view with concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns:- Sports that exceed a child’s skill level may create feelings of frustration and failure
- Basic motor skills such as throwing and kicking do not develop any sooner as a result of exposure
- Volunteer coaches typically lack formal training in child development and may try to teach skills children are not able to master
Can Preschoolers Benefits from Organized Sports?
Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics' caution, many experts feel that organized sports hold positive benefits for preschoolers. Athletic activities introduce concepts such as teamwork, leadership, practicing to master a skill, taking turns, handling frustration and following directions. Participation in sports programs also provides preschoolers with fun physical fitness, socialization with peers and an opportunity to improve motor skills.For some families, sports are a tradition, not just a recreational past time. Parents can share this tradition with their preschoolers by volunteering to coach, attending sporting events or simply spending a sunny afternoon together practicing putts or throwing a ball around.
Make a Good Decision for Your Preschooler
When selecting a sport for your preschooler, keep the following criteria in mind:- Structured activity of 15-20 minutes suits a preschooler’s short attention span
- Look for programs designed to introduce basic skills and concepts rather than competitive leagues
- Evaluate your preschooler’s skills to determine his level of readiness
- Consider independent athletics such as gymnastics or karate instead of team sports
- Keep it fun
Before signing your preschooler up organized sports, parents should consider the pros and cons. Make sure the activity is a match for the preschooler's abilities and temperament, and stay involved to make sure the experience is a good one.
Source
“Organized Sports for Children and Preadolescents.” American Academy of Pediatric. PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 6 June 2001, pp. 1459-1462. (http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/6/1459). Retrieved 12 October 2007.Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.
