Getting kids started in sports

My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet, which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday. Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

--
Sophie -
TTC #4

"Sophie" wrote in message
...
My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a
week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet,
which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's
playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday.
Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope
they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

I think either way is fine. I do think there is value in deliberately
introducing sports that kids might not consider on their own. For example,
I introduced my girls to riding (hunter/jumper) this summer. They attended
4 weeks of riding camp and got 40 hours of very good basic instruction. I
thought that would give them a basis to decide if they liked the sport and
wanted to continue or try something else. As they really loved the lessons,
they are continuing lessons with twice-weekly riding lessons. Its
interesting to note that there are about 5 girls from their class/school who
also ride at that barn.

I suspect they will want to try soccer in the spring when many of the other
kids here are doing that. Falling that, I suspect I will sign them up even
if they don't ask specifically just to see if they like it.

I think they might like tennis. If I can find a facility I might have them
try that.

My girls are almost 9 now, a good bit older than your daughter. I didn't
start any sports with them before the riding camp.

--
sharon, momma to savannah and willow (11/11/94)

Sophie wrote:

My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet, which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday. Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

Soccer is a great sport, all can play, special skill like skating arent
needed to get started, and its cheap! I know because I have 4 kids in it
and another one almost ready.

5 is old enough, and at this age they are more or less just kicking the
ball around in a big mob. This age is usually "coached" by whatever
parents show up, and having much knowledge about the game is not
neccesary at this stage. I coached my sons team when he was 10, didnt
have a CLUE about the game, learned as I went and it was a BLAST!

Now its a game I follw a lot, I even started playing in a mens leauge at
40, not something I could have done in any other competitive sport. It's
been great for my kids, especially my oldest daughter, who went from
being a shy kid than never got involved in sports to one that gets asked
every year by out of town coaches to play on tier II and II teams

sign her up!

On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 09:38:59 -0400, "Sophie" wrote:

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good?

That's pretty much how it's done around here. Our kids are not in any sports at
the moment but the time is coming (and I really dread becoming even more of a
taxi!).

I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked?

DS#1 played baseball for a couple of weeks. He'd asked to be signed up, but the
rule was if his grades fell, he had to quit baseball. Sure enough, the next time
grades came, his grades had dipped significantly so that was the end of
baseball. Since then, he hasn't been in any sports because his grades weren't
good and then he went off to the JCC.

When she was 4, DD#1 took dance class for a while (ballet, tap, gymnastics
combo) and loved it, but when classes ended for the summer, she showed little
interest in going back. Now she's waivering between some sort of class (tap,
gymnastics or baton) and cheerleading. Personally, I don't want her to do
cheerleading because she's only 10 and IMHO that's way too young to get into
that sort of stuff (good heavens, the uniforms and the whole clique thing!). I'm
trying to encourage her to pick a class and use that as a basis for cheerleading
in jr. high (in 2 years).

The problem I have with this is that our first priority has always been
schoolwork. While I understand the importance of various activities outside
school, DD#1 struggles to maintain marginally-ok grades as it is. I'm afraid
adding activities will cause her further problems at school. On the flip side,
IMHO kids need activities other than school and they have to understand that
while school is important, it isn't the be-all-end-all. I haven't figured out
yet how to handle this issue.

BTW, DS#2 goes back and forth between wanting to play soccer or do cheerleading.
Sometimes he expresses a desire to play football or baseball. I'm not
encouraging football because I have problems with how dangerous it can be for
growing kids and have told him that when he's older, he can play. The soccer is
less of a problem but I'm less than enthusiastic about becoming a soccer mom. =)

As for the cheerleading, I've been the only person in the family without the
attitude of "that's only for girls" and it's really ticked me off! IMHO,
cheerleading is a perfectly acceptable choice for boys and for him, it might be
a *really* good choice because he's extremely loud. I know he has enough
self-esteem to carry off the only-boy-cheerleader role and think he might be a
good example for other kids at the school.



Tracy
======================================
We child proofed our home 3 years ago
and they're still getting in!
======================================

"Sophie" wrote in message
...
My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a
week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet,
which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's
playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday.
Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope
they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

I only sign my kids up for things they ask to do. On the other hand, my
kids, like yours, tend to ask for lots of activities, so it's not a problem.
If my kids weren't asking to do anything I might find some stuff to expose
them to and see if they liked it.

In finding activities it helps to have an informal parent network.
Other kids in say, your daughter's gymnastics class
might have older siblings that play soccer. Their parents or caregivers
would know when and where to sign the kids up for soccer. We started
at our dance school after seeing one of their recitals because a school
friend was in it. My daughter rides at a barn where our friends first
went to horse camp.

If you are in the US, AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization)
is huge organization that brings "everyone plays" soccer leagues to
lots of areas. It's a good league for beginners, and starts at Under 6s.
In some areas it also has a competitive league.
You can find if its in your area at www.soccer.org.

Sophie wrote:

My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet, which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday. Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

If they expressed an interest, and it was affordable and times didn't conflict
we'd other activities we try it.
Sometimes they are good at the activity, sometimes they are not, their skill
level has little effect
on the decision to participate or not. Most sports and activities in the early
elementary grades are about
learning the skills, having fun and learning things like playing by the rules,
good sportsmanship etc....of course there are always the
parents who go overboard but that doesn't need to effect you and your children.

karen

In article , Sophie says...

My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet, which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday. Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

Take her to some games and see how she likes it first. You can sign up at the
beginning of the season (for soccer, whatever), but be flexible about whether or
not she likes it.

Banty

Hi -

We signed our kids up for some activities (sports and other) without
consulting them, just so they could get a taste. Some they stuck with,
others they dropped. That's fine. Other activities they asked for, we
let them try it, and again, some they stuck with and others they
dropped. Fine again. (Although if our kid request an activity they
have to complete the session.)

That said ... two practices and a game sound like a heavy soccer
schedule for a 5-year old. In our are, we have a variety of options for
every sport imaginable. (I'm in Metro-DC.) For soccer, kids can:
take a class at the YMCA
do "soccertots" until age 6. One weekly skillbuilding practice,
no games.
Join a team through one of 2 different area organizations, which
have practices 1x/week and games on Saturdays.

There's a similar variety of options for t-ball/baseball.

I'd ask other parents and ALSO look on the web to see what your options
are. And then do your very best to get into a group or team where your
child will have at LEAST one friend to play with her.

The web search can look like
soccer + boston
(replace "boston" with your own town name.)

--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

Most parent's here signed them up because the parents have to have their
kids in everything. Although some kids ask to play, mostly it is seeing
other kids playing and wanting to do it too. Most kids start soccer around
here at four years old. Sign up is through the school. If you don't attend
school yet, then look in your community newpaper and see if they advertise
when soccer is.
--
Sue (mom to three girls) Who feels like her kids are the only ones who don't
play soccer.
I'm Just a Raggedy Ann in a Barbie Doll World...

Sophie wrote in message
...
My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a
week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet,
which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's
playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday.
Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope
they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?

--
Sophie -
TTC #4

Sophie wrote:

My daughter is 5 and is in her second year of taking gymnastics (once a week
for an hour). She had been saying next year she wanted to do ballet, which
would be fine with me. Now she's saying she wants to play soccer. Every
morning at the bus-stop the kids kick a ball around. To her, that's playing
soccer so that's what she wants to do. From hearing the other kids talk,
she knows soccer here is practice twice a week and a game on Saturday. Fine
with me.

But how do you get a kid started? Do you just sign them up and hope they're
good? I'm not athletically inclined *AT ALL* so I'd love it if the kids
were (good exercise too). How did you all sign your kids up - because you
wanted them to do it or because they asked? How did it turn out?


Around here, you just sign 'em up and off they go.
Registration is usually a few months before the season starts.
They don't have to be good, particularly in the early years.
Of course, I think we have a pretty sensible soccer league
around here. They don't start until 5 years old (or, more
accurately, spring of the kindgergarten year) and then they
take a very developmental approach. They have a short practice
*and* game within an hour, usually on Sunday afternoons.
The next year (U7) they start with one game (usually Sunday
afternoon) and one practice (usually Saturday) each week.
It's not until U9 that they move to two practices a week
plus one game a week. So it sounds like your soccer league
is a bit more demanding. Definitely check about expectations
before you start so you know what you're getting into.
In our case, we started because I thought it was
a good idea for them to have *something* that's good
physical exercise (and I think soccer is more active than
some of the alternatives). I asked them if they wanted to
give it a try, and they did, so I signed them up. After
that, I just ask prior to signing up each season whether
they want to do the next season. So far, they have.
Our experience has been that the first several
seasons, the kids were pathetic (from a grownup's point
of view ;-) They didn't seem to be playing soccer at all,
but they wanted to be there, which was the main thing.
After a few seasons, they started to look like they
were actually interested. A few seasons later, they
start to look like they're actually playing soccer ;-)
I figure as long as they're having fun, it doesn't
matter if they're fabulous soccer players. That's
what the developmental and house leagues are for. If
someone wants highly competitive soccer, they can go
play in the travel leagues. That's what they're there
for.
If she starts, don't expect miracles at first.
At only five years old, it's going to take quite a
while to figure out offense and defense and ball
handling and so forth. Mostly they start out looking
like a rugby scrum following the ball around as
it hurtles down the field out of control, going out
of bounds every minute or so ;-) And, of course,
there'll be the one kid (usually a girl at this
age) who looks like she was born to play soccer, and
you wonder what's not working with *your* kid ;-)
But if you just take a laid back approach and follow
your child's lead, it *should* work out just fine.
If not, there's something wrong with the league and
maybe you look for a different league to play in.
At only five years old, you shouldn't have to worry
one moment about whether she's good at soccer or not.

Best wishes,
Ericka