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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As I said, he’s the youngest kid to make it so he has been keeping up with kids a full year older, but if you take two kids playing a competitive team you have to try out for, it’s likely the older kid has an advantage. A year makes a big difference at this age.

Do you want him to be the best team on a team of kids a year younger? What does that prove? Or do you want him to have to stretch to keep up? He doesn't need to "shine" he just needs to do his best and keep developing.

You miss the point PP. If he doesnt get the CHANCE, he cant do his best on a team he doesnt make.

[Anonymous]

All of you ppl writing about sports being by age not grade, it is irrelevant to the OP and many others whose kids have sports by grade. Where I live the ONLY sport that is by birth year is travel soccer. Everything else is by grade, including school sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you ppl writing about sports being by age not grade, it is irrelevant to the OP and many others whose kids have sports by grade. Where I live the ONLY sport that is by birth year is travel soccer. Everything else is by grade, including school sports.

The Rec leagues that we play in, located in Reston, are determined by birthdate. Some have a wider band, like baseball is a two year grouping, others are more narrow, soccer is 1 year, but it is based on birth year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you ppl writing about sports being by age not grade, it is irrelevant to the OP and many others whose kids have sports by grade. Where I live the ONLY sport that is by birth year is travel soccer. Everything else is by grade, including school sports.

Where are you located? My kids have played baseball in 3 different states and we always have to produce a birth certificate so they can play because it is absolutely by age, never grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he notice the age difference or have you pointed it out? If you have been pointing it out, I would stop.
Also, he's only 6. I am more concerned that he needs to "shine" and isn't just playing to have fun. 6 year olds are all over the place in terms of development and development comes in spurts.

Major +1 to all of this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of you ppl writing about sports being by age not grade, it is irrelevant to the OP and many others whose kids have sports by grade. Where I live the ONLY sport that is by birth year is travel soccer. Everything else is by grade, including school sports.

Where are you located? My kids have played baseball in 3 different states and we always have to produce a birth certificate so they can play because it is absolutely by age, never grade.

Wow you are lucky. Wish that was the case where I live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does he notice the age difference or have you pointed it out? If you have been pointing it out, I would stop.
Also, he's only 6. I am more concerned that he needs to "shine" and isn't just playing to have fun. 6 year olds are all over the place in terms of development and development comes in spurts.

Major +1 to all of this

NP I agree he doesnt need to shine and development is all over thecplace. But even if the child doesnt know its an age difference issue or the parent is the one pointing it out, it doesnt matter bc the kid ends up not getting chances and his self esteem can be damaged either way. Hard to have fun if you dont get a chance.

[Anonymous]

When the OP uses the word shine, she/he probably isnt meaning they want their kid to be best. Prob just means the kid gets less chances to do well, have fun or do anything at all. This is not a foreign concept or brand new issue. For those who live somewhere where sports are by grade, there are unfair advantages and discrepancies. Kods redshirted these days are not redshirted bc they have developmental issues. They are all perfectly capable and have a year more of muscle development under their belt. Their parents just didnt want them to be the youngest. Totally fine but then the kids who are youngest and their families sometimes have to deal with these types of issues which is frustrating.