Children play sports in recreational leagues, traveling teams and physical education classes throughout the year. With more and more sports offered, many year-round, and the increasing levels of competence required of children, competition is becoming fierce. While children benefit from sports, the increasing requirements in terms of time and ability are raising concerns among parents and pediatricians, leading many to wonder what can be done to improve a child's experience with sports.
Avoid Early Specialization
Children under age 10 need a variety of sports, not one focused commitment, suggests "The Merck Manual." Earlier specialization, whether on a year-round team or moving from one recreational team that focuses on one sport to another recreational team that focuses on the same sport, increases the risk of injury, overtraining one muscle group, burnout and social isolation. Instead, offer your child a variety of sports that suit the season, such as soccer in fall, basketball in winter and volleyball or swimming in spring and summer.
Remember That Scholarships are Scarce
Many parents get caught up in the early promise of their young athlete, but athletic scholarships are rare. In addition, outside of basketball and football, they are relatively small. A 2008 article in "The New York Times" states that, on average, athletes receive $8,707 in scholarship funds a year, according to data from the National College Athletic Association. Rather than pinning your hopes on a scholarship and running your athlete ragged, focus on what she enjoys and balance her athletic time with school work and friends.
Keep It Age-Appropriate
Keep tabs on the training with which your child is involved. Make sure it's appropriate for the physical development of your child, as well as his developmental age. A 2010 study published in the November-December issue of "Current Sports Medicine Reports" suggests that single-sport focused pediatric athletes are not using the best method to become elite athletes. They risk "social isolation, overdependence, burnout and perhaps risk of overuse injury. Commitment to a single sport at an early age immerses a youngster in a complex world regulated by adults, which is a setting that facilitates manipulation -- social, dietary, chemical and commercial. Youth sport must be kept in perspective. Participants, including talented young athletes, are children and adolescents with the needs of children and adolescents."
Be a Parent, Not a Coach
When a child is playing a sport, focus on what's fun about it and let your child enjoy the game or match. Don't coach from the sidelines or the edge of the pool. Your child will have many coaches in her life, but only one set of parents. The coaches are professionals or skilled volunteers; let them do their job without your interference. Instead, praise your child's efforts and reward incremental improvements. Enjoy the sport for the passion it brings out in your child and model good sportsmanship to keep the game or match part of your child's life, not the focus of it.
References
- "Swimming World" Magazine; The Top Ten Questions Every Swimming Parent Wants to Know; August 2009
- "Current Sports Medicine Reports"; Early Sport Specialization: Roots, Effectiveness, Risks;Malina, RM; November-December 2010
- "The Merck Manual"; Overview of Sports Injuries; Paul L. Liebert, MD; February 2009
- "The New York Times"; Expectations Lose to Reality of Sports Scholarships; Bill Pennington; March 2008
