My first grader is really into sports and not getting a chance to shine due to his age

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in an area that’s really sports focused and my child (7) has been playing in sports year round. He is consistently the absolute youngest on every team as he is a June birthday where it is uncommon to go on time. He’s fairly good (was the absolute youngest for 2 all star sports on the entire roster of 100 kids, had to be selected based on try out or times) BUT the issue is he’s getting down because he just doesn’t have an opportunity to shine playing against so many older (and athletic) kids that often lap him a year since so many kids stay back. When does this situation shake itself out? At what age do they start being assessed by their age or grouped by age and not grade? Little League is the same situation where he is one of the youngest but he’s not playing with kids mostly a year older because they are strict with birthdays.

And this is why you should have red shirted your son like everyone else does!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think your kid is as good as you think, OP. Mine plays a travel sport is the youngest on every team he's been on, and always outshines everyone else, including kids who are 1-2 years older than him.

So glad traveling sport bragging mom showed up

Redundant

[Anonymous]

You should obviously hold him back a year, I can't believe you didn't redshirt, you sound like a terrible parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 17 yo is one of the fastest in the state for swim despite being one of the youngest. If you’re talented, you’re talented. Teach him some resilience.

Isn’t the age group for swimming 15 to 18, making your son one of the oldest competing? And if I recall correctly high school doesn’t have a groupings everyone competes against each other. I mean I get your point but it would make a lot more sense if you were saying that your kid is 14 and beating 17/18-year-olds.

[Anonymous]

At his age, it shouldn't be an issue, because, as people have pointed out, Little League, swimming, and most town leagues group by age. It gets much harder in high school (I speak from experience as someone that skipped a grade and found high school sports disappointing because I could never really compete with kids that were one year older than me). I think the key is to lean into teams outside of the school.

[Anonymous]

I honestly wish they grouped kids in sports by weight class. Something to even it out? (I know this wouldn’t work because older kids can have better ball skills due to better motor skills)…

But, I know exactly how you feel Op!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should obviously hold him back a year, I can't believe you didn't redshirt, you sound like a terrible parent.

Lol bc I got raked through the coals for redshirting 1 kid (out of 3) who has a late bday and was recommended by the preK teacher as not kindergarten ready (socially, not academically).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in an area that’s really sports focused and my child (7) has been playing in sports year round. He is consistently the absolute youngest on every team as he is a June birthday where it is uncommon to go on time. He’s fairly good (was the absolute youngest for 2 all star sports on the entire roster of 100 kids, had to be selected based on try out or times) BUT the issue is he’s getting down because he just doesn’t have an opportunity to shine playing against so many older (and athletic) kids that often lap him a year since so many kids stay back. When does this situation shake itself out? At what age do they start being assessed by their age or grouped by age and not grade? Little League is the same situation where he is one of the youngest but he’s not playing with kids mostly a year older because they are strict with birthdays.

Damn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swimming has a June 1st cutoff. Encourage him to do that.

My mid-June son is going to shine in the A-meets next summer!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes baseball, he has a lucky duck birthday for that May 1 cutoff. He will be able to play with kids a grade down from him, indefinitely. Big advantage actually.

in what leagues? Little league has an Aug 31 cut-off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swimming has a June 1st cutoff. Encourage him to do that.

My mid-June son is going to shine in the A-meets next summer!!

Nobody cares

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid likes baseball, he has a lucky duck birthday for that May 1 cutoff. He will be able to play with kids a grade down from him, indefinitely. Big advantage actually.

in what leagues? Little league has an Aug 31 cut-off.

NP here. Most likely they’re referring to travel baseball in this area. My son’s birthday is on the cutoff date for travel baseball. His oldest teammate is 364 days older and in the next grade up. But that’s life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in an area that’s really sports focused and my child (7) has been playing in sports year round. He is consistently the absolute youngest on every team as he is a June birthday where it is uncommon to go on time. He’s fairly good (was the absolute youngest for 2 all star sports on the entire roster of 100 kids, had to be selected based on try out or times) BUT the issue is he’s getting down because he just doesn’t have an opportunity to shine playing against so many older (and athletic) kids that often lap him a year since so many kids stay back. When does this situation shake itself out? At what age do they start being assessed by their age or grouped by age and not grade? Little League is the same situation where he is one of the youngest but he’s not playing with kids mostly a year older because they are strict with birthdays.

OP I could have written this myself. Thanks for posting- I need to read all the responses. I have a 7 yr old boy who loves sports. Problem is he turned 7 end of June and is playing with kids up to a year older. While he was still physically developing enough to catch, the other kids were already catcjing. Jist as he was thriving with dad pitch, the other kids started asking for kid pitch. Its been really stressful for me to feel like my kid wont have a chance at things when he just needs to be playing with kids who are on the same level developmentally as him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swimming has a June 1st cutoff. Encourage him to do that.

My mid-June son is going to shine in the A-meets next summer!!

Nobody cares

If you Mid june kid was also a late bloomer, as some kids at any age are, youd be able to empathize knowing that some of the June kids have an extra disadvantage. The July - Sept kids were all given a free pass to "not be the youngest" and be redshirted. Now the June kids (who are also late bloomers) getcto suffer instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So he can't stand out unless he's the absolute oldest? A really athletic kid should be able to hang with kids a year older. Many kids play up in sports an age level if they are really good. But, he's 7, it doesn't sound like you are accurately assessing him at this point.

And what if hes not really athletic and just average?? He should be able to be sverage and play but when up agst kids a year older, that stacks the odds up agst him.