There comes that time in your child’s life where you want to get them involved in some fun activities. You may have visions of your child running across the soccer field with a big smile on their face—but then all of a sudden that is wiped aside when they are too busy picking flowers on the sidelines. It happens to the best of us where we want to get our kids onto the sports field or activities, and they just aren’t ready yet. So how do you know?
First and foremost I speak from experience when I say to recognize their personality. Don’t put your three year old onto a soccer team because it’s what you want as a parent. Don’t enroll your four year old sweet little princess into dance class for the entire year because you’re dying for her to wear a cute tutu. Do recognize that age is not the only factor here as you have to know their personality.
Recognize What Your Kid Is About and Adjust Accordingly
If you’re dealing with a mature kid even for their age, then you may be just fine. The reality is though that most of us can see that resistance, stubborn streak, or tantrum waiting to happen. If you put your child into a class or team that they’re not ready for then you’re setting both of you up for disaster. You don’t want to be picking up your darling child from the floor or trying to bribe them to get into the water—trust me it won’t work!
Start small because you can always build your way up. Put them into a starter team or just take a few lessons. A mini swimming lesson course, a sports sampler geared towards their age group, or a beginner version of soccer, dance, or any other activity is by far the best way to go. It saves you money and ensures that you both leave with sanity intact!
It’s a fun time to let them try new things, and you should. Their interests and tastes are going to change about a million times over, and you have to roll with it. Though they may have some natural skills, if you force them into T-ball at four just because they’re eligible, you may be in for a very unpleasant surprise. They may be running the other way, crying, and begging to go home because they just aren’t ready.
Look for cues like their ability to handle a structured activity. See how they handle a preschool class or other related activity. Go in with realistic expectations and at a young age look at this as nothing but an experiment in socialization.
Prepare For Anything and Go In With The Right Attitude
Nobody wants to be the parent on the side of the pool begging for their kid to get into the pool. Nobody wants to deal with the parent who is putting their kid into the activities that they did as a kid, and who is therefore trying to recapture their youth.
Make it all about fun, for anything competitive at a young age will scare them off. Let them dictate what they are ready for and make it an enjoyable aspect of their life. Take all pressure and expectations out of the equation, and just enjoy this time together. Start small and build up—there is plenty of time for them to become a world class dancer or football player. For now just let them dictate, let them be young and have fun, and go in with an open mind and an ability to laugh at the sometimes insane antics in young activities!
