Reply to How many days a week for an eight year old?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Any parents concerned about 3x a week for 9 year olds? Debating whether to stick with 2 or move to 3. Or could do twice a week with club and one extra day a week for a less intense stroke clinic. [/quote]

Some do it. Not sure how many of them last in the sport. It’s a lot.[/quote]

It only works if 1. the swimmer wants to go, 2. the practices are fun and not high yardage, 3. the swimmer is doing other activities during the week, and 4. the swimmer wants to go (worth repeating).

My kid went to 2 practices a week at age 7-8, and then 3 practices a week at age 9-10, and now goes to 5-6 at age 13. When he was 9, he would have gone to 5 practices a week if we had let him. As soon as his other sport ended its season, he wanted to go the pool every day. Even now, at 6 practices a week, he asked to go to doubles on the weekend (was told no by coach and by us). Some kids really thrive on the practice. He wakes up on his own for Saturday am practice and weekend swim meets.

The best advice I got was to have him attend one or two practices a week fewer than he wanted. If he had a test or was tired, we suggested he take a day off.

A 7 year old won’t really know if they are going to enjoy twice a week practice until they try. But a 9 year old should be able to tell you, “yes, I want another day of practice” or “no, 2 days is enough for me”.

Just pay attention to your kid. They will let you know how much practice is appropriate for them. The burnout question is a valid one, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Kids who have to be cajoled into going to practice, who make excuses why they can’t go, who don’t enjoy working in the pool, are showing you that this isn’t making them happy.

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