Right age to introduce my kid to team sports
newmem posted on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 11:49
I am trying to get my son to play some team sports like basketball etc. I have been involving him in cricket with family members and a few friends. But now that he is more than 4 years old I want him to get into proper play of any team sport that he likes. I am wondering if this is the right age to do so.
In my view 4 is the age at which you should start giving your child a feel of team sport. As you said you are already involving your child in cricket and some more sports you can wait till he is 5 years to get him enrolled for proper training.
From what I know by 5 years of age kids develop the gross motor skills to start with the training for team sports. Before that you can train your child at home itself.
I agree with eva. Actually before 5 years of age a child may not be able to coordinate all his actions very well. But definitely before that you can train your child on your own on how to hold the bat right way and make him physically fit by running etc.
Each child has a different rate of developmental coordination and attention span. And these two things are very important before you get him/her trained in any sports. So, please give a thought on all the aspects of your child's development before you put him/her into professional training.
I started my daughter getting trained in tennis the day she turned 5. Though I do not know the optimal age I thought she was ready for the training and I got her into it.
I have made a group of boys and girls of my son's age and am encouraging them to play cricket on their own. My son is going to be 4 soon. I do not think that he will be ready for professional training for another 2 years. So, I think at this age its better to introduce him to team sports with friends and family.
I do not think before 6 years of age a child is ready for training of sport. As before this they may not be able to get the instructions clearly and another important thing is before this age kids are mostly involved in there things though the do things with other kids but still not good at sharing any job.
As other members have said before this age maybe you can play with your child and with a group of kids of similar age in your colony.
I think we got a good discussion out here.
Thanks a lot for your valuable inputs. I think I am on the right path.