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When Is a Good Age to Get Your Kids in Sports?

posted by CPS8910, a Women Talk Sports blogger
today, February 28, 2012 at 4:11pm EST

About CPS8910:

I currently have an online retail store www.chicksplaysports.com We offer a wide variety of girl specific athletic wear and our own brand of Chicks Play Sports apparel. For almost 20 years, I was a m...more

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When Is a Good Age to Get Your Kids in Sports?

Recently I was talking to a friend of mine who has a 2 year old daughter.  She was telling me that she had to hurry and get her daughter registered for a soccer team.  I kind of laughed and said, “well, you probably have about 2 years before that will happen.”  She replied with, ” no, there is a place in town that starts soccer teams at 15 months.”  Really?  15 months?  Here is a quote from Soccer Buddies:

“Soccer Buddies is a child development soccer program for children ages 15 months through 12 years.  Our highly skilled coaches take a unique approach to building a strong foundation of balance, agility, coordination and confidence.  You won’t just see a soccer ball and a net on our field.  Our slogan is THINK OUTSIDE THE NET for a reason….because we do just that. We provide an amazingly FUN environment for children to learn through their language…imaginative play.   Our high-energy, well trained coaches will take your child on an imaginative roller coaster ride through a jungle safari and into outer space…all the while building their motor skills, physical fitness, confidence, coordination and more through the game of soccer.  Whether your child has never played soccer or has played soccer before, our wide range of classes will suit their needs.  We have advanced skills classes for the experienced child, as well as beginner classes even at older ages for an introduction of the game in a safe, fun environment. Your child will have the time of their life with their super hero instructor.  If once a week is enough for your child, we aren’t doing our job!  Kids learn best while having fun!”
 

I thought back to when my kids were 15 months, and wondered how on earth this can really be called soccer?  I think it is great to get kids up and moving, don’t get me wrong.  But talk about burnout.  The poor kid will be playing soccer for 16 years before they even think about playing at the college level.  I know when my kids were young, I took them to the occasional Gymboree class, where they  played with a parachute and jumped in a ball pit.  But soccer, no.  Some parents  tend to get ultra competitive when their children compete in anything, and I have to wonder if starting kids are 15 months will be a good or bad thing for those ultra competitive parents.  Maybe I took it to literally, Soccer team for 15 month olds: I thought, better go get them little tiny baby cleats, shin guards, and mouth piece for those few teeth they do have.  In reality, it is more of a social event, getting them up and moving, meeting new people, nothing wrong with all that!

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