Better to try everything or specialize early

[Anonymous]

I have an 8yo DD. She has been dancing since preschool and has been trying various activities. Several of her friends and classmates have started getting into more competitive teams this year whether it is soccer, swim, gymnastics, etc.

DD has many interests including academic interests like science as well as theater, instruments, singing and dancing. There just aren’t enough hours in the week to do all these activities.

Do you think it is better to have her try everything?

My parents always steered me a certain way and I didn’t have much choice in my activities.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to let your kid direct how it works. Different kids have different personalities, interests, and need different kinds of guidance and investment.

Specializing in a sport or activity is not going to work if the kid is not interested and doesn't really, really like the activity. Multiple practices a week, working on skills between practices, needing a higher level of commitment to showing up to games/rehearsal/performances because people are counting on you and the other kids take it more seriously -- you do not want to sign a kid up for that unless they are very enthusiastic about it.

[Anonymous]

For theater, instruments, singing and dancing you could probably find a summer camp that has all of those, so she gets exposure and then can pick what really clicked with her.

[Anonymous]

She’s 8!

[Anonymous]

just let her do what she wants as long as she is doing at least one activity most of the year

[Anonymous]

Dance...absolutely specialize. It's difficult to impossible to catch up later.

[Anonymous]

You need to limit activities at this age - she needs plenty of time for free play.
She definitely doesn't need to specialize. OK to try lots of things as long as it's one thing at a time - maybe try gymnastics this winter, soccer in spring and swim in the summer.

[Anonymous]

8y need a hook for college.

[Anonymous]

Mine is also 8 and so far he's just tried it all. He is happy that way. I do meet lots of kids who specialize and wonder if we are doing it wrong. Among the kids I know, there are 7 year olds who are already on swim team, and 8 year old who has been doing piano and golf for 3-4 years already, 8 year olds who have been doing year round and/or travel soccer for 2+ years, kids who have played ice hockey for 3 years, including 2 years of travel! Either all these kids will be really really good at their specialization, or they will burn out and quit (or get injured).

[Anonymous]

read Range

[Anonymous]

Usually this is a practical decision more than a theoretical one. By age 8, most kids are past the stage of once a week sports. When my son was 5, he did soccer, basketball, flag football, lacrosse, and tennis…but they were all once a week for an hour after school. Now at age 8, these sports are 2-3 days a week, so he has to choose.

[Anonymous]

You don’t specialize you nitwit at 8

[Anonymous]

Definitely no need to specialize at 8. In a few years maybe- if she wants to and/or the opportunity presents.

Realistically most kids DO need to specialize and/or narrow down activities- but not at 8. You have a few years yet.

[Anonymous]

At 8, try everything. You don't want your kid to be the person who specialized in the One Thing, only to realize they wasted their youth at 27 and become a burnout

[Anonymous]

Child development research firmly points to trying everything.