Can we talk about specializing at an early age?

[Anonymous]

I read over and over that it's better for kids to play multiple sports and not choose one thing too early. I assume part of that is about kids making their own choices and not following mom/dad's path, but I know there's also concern about overuse injuries.

But my kids are upper elementary, and in spite of my encouragement to try new/other things, they each love a sport they started in K. They've dabbled briefly in other things, but nothing else sticks.

Should I stop pushing variety?

[Anonymous]

My kids specialized early because they play baseball and softball which are time consuming sports even at the rec level and even from a youngish age--so there just isn't much time to do other sports except in the winter. They do both play basketball in the winter but their hearts aren't in it.

[Anonymous]

I've always let my kids lead. My oldest is in middle school and has decided to drop her second sport in favor of concentrating on her primary sport. My youngest tries things out for a year or two and moves on. I'm fine with both approaches

[Anonymous]

There have been a few threads on this in these forums. My kids have stuck to their one travel sport which they were introduced to as toddlers (soccer). I've always encouraged them to try other sports but they have no desire to play any other sports on a travel level besides soccer, despite being generally good athletes. They do play rec or less intense sports seasonally (martial arts, flag football, cross country, etc.) and are always up for an impromptu games of baseball and other sports with their buddies. I consider them multisport even if only one sport is at a travel level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read over and over that it's better for kids to play multiple sports and not choose one thing too early. I assume part of that is about kids making their own choices and not following mom/dad's path, but I know there's also concern about overuse injuries.

But my kids are upper elementary, and in spite of my encouragement to try new/other things, they each love a sport they started in K. They've dabbled briefly in other things, but nothing else sticks.

Should I stop pushing variety?

Need to know the sports before I can opine

[Anonymous]

If you can swing it - winter or summer - kid competitive swimming is a life skill. 2-3 years of summer swim team (or winter if that timing works) and you won’t have to worry about going to a pool with friends.

I also recommend some level of tennis, golf and/or running. They are the grown up sports that you will benefit from playing as a teen. Just getting started. Lessons, having fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can swing it - winter or summer - kid competitive swimming is a life skill. 2-3 years of summer swim team (or winter if that timing works) and you won’t have to worry about going to a pool with friends.

I also recommend some level of tennis, golf and/or running. They are the grown up sports that you will benefit from playing as a teen. Just getting started. Lessons, having fun.

Totally agree on grown up sports, that is what DS has ended up loving the most and I'm happier paying for things he can do forever, for fun, than something he will end up never doing again as an adult.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine to follow a kids interest, even if that means specializing, if they’re having fun. But not at the expense of never doing anything else. You have to make room for rec basketball (or whatever the friends are doing that is low key and fun) and summer swim or tennis or golf. Some balance, just for fun and social, is important but is easily skipped if you get sucked in too deeply to specialization early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can swing it - winter or summer - kid competitive swimming is a life skill. 2-3 years of summer swim team (or winter if that timing works) and you won’t have to worry about going to a pool with friends.

I also recommend some level of tennis, golf and/or running. They are the grown up sports that you will benefit from playing as a teen. Just getting started. Lessons, having fun.

That wasn’t the question dear

[Anonymous]

Keep pushing, multi sport kid good. My MS DS plays soccer, baseball, flag football, and basketball, he dropped hockey. No injuries. Not too cranky, just recently is spending more time on video games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can swing it - winter or summer - kid competitive swimming is a life skill. 2-3 years of summer swim team (or winter if that timing works) and you won’t have to worry about going to a pool with friends.

I also recommend some level of tennis, golf and/or running. They are the grown up sports that you will benefit from playing as a teen. Just getting started. Lessons, having fun.

great advice, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can swing it - winter or summer - kid competitive swimming is a life skill. 2-3 years of summer swim team (or winter if that timing works) and you won’t have to worry about going to a pool with friends.

I also recommend some level of tennis, golf and/or running. They are the grown up sports that you will benefit from playing as a teen. Just getting started. Lessons, having fun.

Totally agree on grown up sports, that is what DS has ended up loving the most and I'm happier paying for things he can do forever, for fun, than something he will end up never doing again as an adult.

Disagree completely

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to follow a kids interest, even if that means specializing, if they’re having fun. But not at the expense of never doing anything else. You have to make room for rec basketball (or whatever the friends are doing that is low key and fun) and summer swim or tennis or golf. Some balance, just for fun and social, is important but is easily skipped if you get sucked in too deeply to specialization early.

What's a grown up sport? When I was capable of doing the running, I played in an over 35 soccer league, now I play pick up basketball with a bunch of other old guys two nights a week

[Anonymous]

My son loves both soccer and baseball. We've been fortunate to find small travel programs that respect he's a two sport athlete and are providing him with terrific coaching and support. He's thriving.

It took a while to find the right organizations as many travel organizations want your child to do one sport exclusively at too young an age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to follow a kids interest, even if that means specializing, if they’re having fun. But not at the expense of never doing anything else. You have to make room for rec basketball (or whatever the friends are doing that is low key and fun) and summer swim or tennis or golf. Some balance, just for fun and social, is important but is easily skipped if you get sucked in too deeply to specialization early.

What's a grown up sport? When I was capable of doing the running, I played in an over 35 soccer league, now I play pick up basketball with a bunch of other old guys two nights a week

Old fart

My father played doubles tennis into his 80's and is now trying out Pickleball. He stuck with golf into his 70's (and sailing/kayaking).

Mine one sporty kid is soccer focused but expressed an interested in basketball so we have him signed up this winter (6th grade). I'm not sure how we will survive the overlap with his travel team though!

He also was interested in XR at school but we kept him out to prevent competition with his not-sporty brother who we bribe in the fall to do XR.