If you’re the parent of a young elementary school child, you have probably thought about putting them in sports. When they’re young, it’s nearly impossible to know what sport kids will excel at as they grow, so this is the perfect time to try everything and anything they show an interest in, holding off on sports specialization as long as you can. Read on to discover 5 starter sports for young active kids.
Sports are Good for Young Kids
Unstructured play is essential for kids, but structured sports can also be beneficial for young kids, even if they decide later on to pursue other interests.
Here are some benefits to starting active kids in sports early:
- Exercise: Did you know kids should get 60 minutes of physical activity daily?
- Coordination: Sports is a great way to improve coordination, balance, and concentration.
- Respect for other adults: Coaches can help teach life lessons that kids won’t get from parents.
- Confidence: Trying different sports can help kids figure out what they’re good at…and which sports are not for them.
- Leadership: Regardless of the age, each team has its leaders – is your kid one of them?
Starter Sports for Young Active Kids
When starting kids in sports, whether three or ten years old, it’s important to have a watchful eye for the first couple of practices. Most leagues will have rules on what age you can “drop off,” so paying attention to your time commitment level is best.
All of these sports are gender-neutral sports. As kids age, they will branch off into separate gender teams. It’s also to remember that starting kids in sports young is not about competition, but building a love for sport and how to compete respectfully.
Soccer
You’ve probably seen the toddlers who can’t even tie their shoes yet, running up and down the soccer field, having a blast. Soccer is a great starter sport for kids as young as 3, as long as they can follow directions. Soccer is a major energy burner, so if your child has a lot of it, running up and down the field might be food for them.
T-Ball
T-Ball is excellent if you think your child may have an aptitude for baseball or softball. Hand-eye coordination is essential for hitting the ball with the bat, so getting started with t-ball is excellent for motor skills. Knowledge of base running in the younger years is not great, but really fun to watch.
Swimming
Can we say — life skill? Getting your kids in the water early will pay dividends when you are done getting in the pool with them and they can safely be the water without hanging on to mom or dad. Swimming lessons are great, but swimming as a sport is a little different. Kids as young as 5 are able to compete, but ages 8-10 are the prime ages to get your child into swimming for sport.
Gymnastics
If you’ve got a kid who likes to climb, jump, and flip off the high bars at the playground, it might be time to channel that daredevil and put them into gymnastics. Gymnastics is great for younger kids to build strength and confidence as they acquire new skills.
Dance
Both girls and boys can excel at all types of dance. If your child wants to try dance, work to find a studio that offers many different kids — ballet, tap, hip-hop, Irish, jazz. Doing this can help them determine 1) if dance is right for them, 2) if they prefer one type of dance over another. Dance classes can help improve coordination, endurance, confidence, and discipline.
