Better to try everything or specialize early

[Anonymous]

My understanding of the overall research on this and how I have communicated to my child is this: I will not put more effort into any activity than you do. For example, if you aren't practicing dribbling and soccer skills and working on mechanics than we aren't paying for/driving to/participating in any level higher than developmental.

In addition, we only play one sport per season except for summer when he does swim team plus a summer sport. I also encourage him to try new things and we will work those in. For example, drama club or choir or band. Rock climbing. Sailing.

My goal is for him, and my daughter once she is of age, is to understand that I will support and encourage- to the best of our ability in time and funds- when they show internal drive. My support is a deep well when they are the ones driving and showing up and wanting to improve, but it will not be deeper than their own effort. My second goal is to ensure that they do not pigeonhole their identity into one component and that they get opportunities to try different sports and activities at this age with the hopes that they can find something(s) they are passionate about. With that said, its unlikely I would introduce my children to horseback riding or ice skating because we cant afford that and it isn't reasonably accessible; however, I will make them do either choir or band or orchestra for minimum 2 years because learning how to read music helps with math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This! While some parents are driving the boat on this, a lot of the kids that specialize early do so because they absolutely love it and just want more, more, more. My kid started her now primary sport in 1st grade. She was constantly asking to practice in the yard from day 1. She had tried several other things before that and continued to try a other things after, but that was the one that it was immediately apparent that it was going to be her thing.

[Anonymous]

If you have multiple kids, I do think you need to put some thought into what you are ok pursuing, more than “whatever they like.”

Most kids will like the activities they stick with consistently and see progress in their abilities. Consistency is key. With that said, limit those activities you try to what is most convenient for your family to get to/from and if you are ok with the schedule of practices/tournaments/competitions as they progress.

[Anonymous]

The research is pretty clear that it's beneficial for the whole child to engage in multiple activities; however, if she aspires to be a competitive gymnast, she will need to specialize around 8. I think recreational gymnastics is an excellent supplement to all sports at that age, as it includes safe strength and flexibility training. However, I wouldn't want my kids on a competitive track anyway, so I'd keep them involved in all the sports and other activities they enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1

My DS7 does rec level sports and they've all shifted from a 1x/wk combined practice/scrimmage to 1x/wk practice and 1x/wk game. We just have to be pickier about what he can commit to even though hes playing at the most relaxed level.

Also at 8 or 9 many kids aren't as interested in the random 1x/wk activities unless they are personally vested in the activity itself. My son was happy doing tennis once a week because it was like a giant playdate on Saturday mornings. My DD9 would rather just have Saturday mornings open than be with a few random kids every week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding of the overall research on this and how I have communicated to my child is this: I will not put more effort into any activity than you do. For example, if you aren't practicing dribbling and soccer skills and working on mechanics than we aren't paying for/driving to/participating in any level higher than developmental.

In addition, we only play one sport per season except for summer when he does swim team plus a summer sport. I also encourage him to try new things and we will work those in. For example, drama club or choir or band. Rock climbing. Sailing.

My goal is for him, and my daughter once she is of age, is to understand that I will support and encourage- to the best of our ability in time and funds- when they show internal drive. My support is a deep well when they are the ones driving and showing up and wanting to improve, but it will not be deeper than their own effort. My second goal is to ensure that they do not pigeonhole their identity into one component and that they get opportunities to try different sports and activities at this age with the hopes that they can find something(s) they are passionate about. With that said, its unlikely I would introduce my children to horseback riding or ice skating because we cant afford that and it isn't reasonably accessible; however, I will make them do either choir or band or orchestra for minimum 2 years because learning how to read music helps with math.

I like most of this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Child development research firmly points to trying everything.

Yes. When are parents and communities going to push back against this harmful trend toward earlier and earlier specialization?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This! While some parents are driving the boat on this, a lot of the kids that specialize early do so because they absolutely love it and just want more, more, more. My kid started her now primary sport in 1st grade. She was constantly asking to practice in the yard from day 1. She had tried several other things before that and continued to try a other things after, but that was the one that it was immediately apparent that it was going to be her thing.

So did she practice in the yard? What sport? I don’t know why people write “her sport”. Just say her swimming team or whatever.