Keeping your preschooler active is undeniably important, but does your preschooler need to be enrolled in a team sport? This is a commonly asked question with a slightly complex answer. Team sports can help your child make new friends, exercise and have fun, but it can also lead to discouragement and long lasting problems. So how do you know if the local soccer team is good or bad for your child? The answer boils down to a couple different determining factors.
According to the experts, the average child isn’t ready for the full demands of a team sport until they are at least 6 or 7 years old, considerably older than a preschooler. Most preschoolers are not masters at catching, throwing or taking turns, which is sort of what team sports are all about. If your child is struggling to keep up with the demands of the team, the experience can quickly turn discouraging, and deter future group sport participation. (Read More)
How To Know If A Preschool Sports Team Is Right For Your Child
When properly played out, there are some benefits to enrolling younger children in sports. These benefits only apply if the team is all about fun and not at all focused on competition. Another key consideration is if your child is ready to participate in a sport with other kids. Every child develops differently, making this a personalized decision based on the maturity and abilities of your particular child.
Here are some indicators of a good team sport environment for little kids:
The team coach is easy going and all about having fun. Things can go from pleasant to ugly rather quickly if your child has a coach that cares about winning, even a little bit. Kids should not be judged on how well they can catch a ball at only 3 or 4 years of age. A coach that thinks otherwise shouldn’t be coaching little kids. If a coach makes the game about winning the game can stop being fun and start being a source of stress for your child.
Fellow team parents are not competitive. Make sure that the people your child will be playing a team sport with are in it for fun too. If you are one of the only parents who believe preschoolers shouldn’t be competitive while playing soccer, you might run into issues down the line.
Your child enjoys attending practice and games. If your little one clearly enjoys being a part of a team sport, it’s probably a good experience for them. On the other hand, if your child makes any indication that they are not having fun at team games or practice it may be tempting to push them to keep going. Instead, find out why your child doesn’t like being on the team, their reasons might be valid in accordance with their age.
Benefits To Team Sports For Preschoolers
When a team sport provides a relaxed, fun atmosphere where little kids can just be little kids—that likely don’t play sports very well at all—all is good. Under the right circumstances and conditions team sports may offer your child the following benefits:
-A chance to build self-confidence by making new friends and feeling accomplished.
-Learn how to play with others, take turns and support teammates
-Learn how to follow rules
-Learn how to be a good sport
-Good form of exercise
-Helps develop and fine-tune a number of motor skills
What If Your Preschooler Isn’t Enrolled In Team Sports?
Despite all of the potential benefits, team sports are not the number one way to keep preschoolers active. There are plenty of other ways you can get your kid moving, grooving and having a good time outside.
Many people will say that kids need a “head start” with team sports so that they are more proficient at such activities in the future, but this isn’t necessarily true. If you and/or your child have no interest in team sports at such an early age you have nothing to worry about. Preparing your child for future team sports and other athletic activities is as simple as setting a good example and making sure they get regular exercise.
How Much Exercise Does A Preschooler Need?
According to the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) preschoolers should get at least 60 minutes of structured physical activity, and at least 60 minutes of free play every single day. Also, a child should not be inactive for over one consecutive hour.
Examples of fun games that are considered structured physical activity include:
-“Duck, Duck, Goose,” Follow The Leader, or Musical Chairs, freeze dance, or freeze tag
-Practice hitting a ball off of a T-ball stand made for toddlers
-Go on a nature hike to collect rocks, seashells, or whatever is readily available
Adult-led activities are important for preschoolers but that does not mean team sports, it means any activity that is led by an adult, such as your self. Kids love when their parents participate in fun activities alongside them, so put on your running shoes and get ready to exercise with your little one! Showing your child how fun physical activity can be will get them excited about participating in team sports in the future when they are ready.
The Importance Of Exercise For Children
Active kids enjoy long lasting benefits. Children that grow up physically active tend to remain active throughout their entire life. As a result, they show increased self-esteem, healthier body weight, and a decrease in the risk for many common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Active kids also benefit in the present, living a healthier lifestyle that helps them properly grow and develop.
If your child is enrolled in a quality preschool, they are already getting much of the physical activity they require while at school, including both structured play and free play.
At ABC Learning we keep little ones physically active throughout the day by incorporating all kinds of fun activities. Contact us today to learn more about our programs for children between 12 months and 5 years of age.