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Home › Articles › Fun and Creativity › Put Me In, Coach

Put Me In, Coach

Is Your Preschooler Ready for Organized Sports?

By Alexandria Powell

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"[Preschoolers] can get sprains and strains and broken bones, [but] as of yet we don't see an epidemic or a problem with that," says Dr. Small. His concern is more about the psychological damage that being pushed too hard too soon can do. "A lot of times in youth leagues, the parent who's coaching wants to live through their kids," says Dr. Small. "They forget that the kid is just a toddler and that they should be having fun."

Dr. Small recommends waiting until children reach age 5 or 6 before involving them in organized sports. He suggests that the youngest preschoolers explore sports activities but not in a league. "There are programs that just focus on skill development," he says. "That's what we're looking to do."

When choosing a sport, class or activity, look closely at the coach or instructor. You should see enthusiasm, patience and someone who understands the developmental levels of a 3- to 5-year-old. "It's not necessarily about their ability to coach, but more how they interact with the children," says Chamberlain. "There are some coaches that are great coaches, but they're very strict. They don't know how to relate to a 4-, 5- or 6-year-old."

Decisions, Decisions
Motor skills, maturity level, social readiness and ability to understand directions are important factors for deciding if your child is ready to try any activity. However, most preschool coaches say there's room for all children in non-competitive sports. "Some kids just stand around and watch, but even if they're doing that, they may be having a good time," Christiansen says. "They don't have to be the star of the team to have fun."


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