Source

"Organized Sports for Children and Preadolescents." American Academy of Pediatric. PEDIATRICS Vol. 107 No. 6 June 2001, pp. 1459-1462. (http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/6/1459). Retrieved 12 October 2007.

Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.

Helpful Tips for Parents

• Positive attention — catching children being good — is more effective than negative attention at shaping behavior. "Thank you for putting your shoes away" reinforces the behavior far more than reprimanding forgetting.

• Consistency is the most powerful parenting tool. A rule enforced 90% of the time teaches children that the rule applies 90% of the time — full stop.

• Natural consequences (the consequence that actually flows from the behavior) are more powerful teaching tools than imposed consequences, because the learning is inherent rather than arbitrary.

• Preschoolers cannot reason during a meltdown — the rational brain goes offline when the stress response is activated. Wait for calm before problem-solving or discussing the behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

My preschooler seems very anxious. Is this normal?

Moderate anxiety is developmentally normal in preschoolers — fear of the dark, separation anxiety, and fear of new situations are typical from ages 2–6 and generally decrease with development. Signs that anxiety warrants professional attention: pervasive anxiety across many situations, severe separation anxiety that doesn't improve after weeks at a new school, physical symptoms (stomachaches, headaches before anxiety-provoking situations), or anxiety that prevents participation in normal activities. A child therapist specializing in early childhood can assess whether a preschooler's anxiety is within the range of normal development.

How much say should a preschooler have in family decisions?

Preschoolers benefit developmentally from meaningful choices within adult-set parameters. The rule: never offer a choice you can't honor, and never ask "do you want to" before mandatory activities. "Do you want to put on shoes or go in socks?" (both are options) is appropriate. "Do you want to go to preschool today?" (not a real option) is not. Choices build autonomy and decision-making skills; unlimited choice creates overwhelm and insecurity. The goal is a child who feels genuinely heard within a structured, safe environment.

Related reading: See also our social skills guide and our raising confident preschoolers for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• ⚡ Executive Function — Consistent routines, clearly communicated expectations, and age-appropriate responsibilities build the executive function children need to self-regulate, plan ahead, and manage the demands of school and daily life.
• 💪 Resilience & Grit — Children whose parents normalize struggle, celebrate effort over outcome, and model recovery from failure develop the resilience and perseverance that predict success in school, relationships, and professional life.
• 🧠 Self-Regulation Skills — Children whose parents respond to big emotions with empathy and calm guidance learn to regulate their own emotional responses — one of the most important predictors of school success and long-term wellbeing.
• 🤝 Social-Emotional Development — Secure parent-child attachment provides the emotional safe base from which children confidently explore the world, form friendships, and develop the social competence that every other developmental milestone builds on.

By Maria Connor

Organized sports have long been popular with parents of preschoolers. Armed with video cameras and lawn chairs, parents everywhere spend weekends cheering on scores of preschoolers chasing soccer balls (sometimes going the wrong direction) and swinging at a baseball perched on a tee (while the miniature outfielders play in the dirt). However, there are pros and cons to sports that parents of preschoolers need to be aware of.

Are Preschoolers Ready for Organized Sports?

Parents are enrolling children in organized athletics earlier and earlier, a trend some professionals view with concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns:

• Sports that exceed a child's skill level may create feelings of frustration and failure

• Basic motor skills such as throwing and kicking do not develop any sooner as a result of exposure

• Volunteer coaches typically lack formal training in child development and may try to teach skills children are not able to master

Can Preschoolers Benefits from Organized Sports?

Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics' caution, many experts feel that organized sports hold positive benefits for preschoolers. Athletic activities introduce concepts such as teamwork, leadership, practicing to master a skill, taking turns, handling frustration and following directions. Participation in sports programs also provides preschoolers with fun physical fitness, socialization with peers and an opportunity to improve motor skills.

For some families, sports are a tradition, not just a recreational past time. Parents can share this tradition with their preschoolers by volunteering to coach, attending sporting events or simply spending a sunny afternoon together practicing putts or throwing a ball around.

Make a Good Decision for Your Preschooler

When selecting a sport for your preschooler, keep the following criteria in mind:

• Structured activity of 15-20 minutes suits a preschooler's short attention span

• Look for programs designed to introduce basic skills and concepts rather than competitive leagues

• Evaluate your preschooler's skills to determine his level of readiness

• Consider independent athletics such as gymnastics or karate instead of team sports

• Keep it fun

Before signing your preschooler up organized sports, parents should consider the pros and cons. Make sure the activity is a match for the preschooler's abilities and temperament, and stay involved to make sure the experience is a good one.