Anonymous wrote:Your almost 3 YO does not need to be playing on a soccer team. Having been through this with 2 kids, I would wait until 1st grade to look at team sports. Any earlier than that is just a photo op for parents.

On my 3rd kid here too, and I 100% agree with this. 3rd kid isnt' doing any activity except maybe swimming until K or 1st grade. There is just no need.

Your almost 3 YO does not need to be playing on a soccer team. Having been through this with 2 kids, I would wait until 1st grade to look at team sports. Any earlier than that is just a photo op for parents.

1000 touches a day starting at 2, you are already behind. Skip the size 3 and go to size 5 now to catch up.

Our kid has been doing Soccer Shots through daycare and she loves it, it provides exposure to the sport but seems pretty low key.

Anonymous wrote:Do any preschooler soccer class you want and then when she starts kindergarten do rec soccer, on a team associated with her school. Rec is laid-back and she'll make friends at her school. Don't worry about the preschool friend group, there is massive reshuffling of friends when kids go to K.

This, and then if she loves it can do a pre-academy program in 2nd grade and try out for travel in 3rd grade at U9. Also define "crazy", none of it is too intense until the DA/ECNL years. Before that the stress is mainly from unhinged parents (which are in all sports at all levels) and from trying to break into travel at the U10-U12 years after teams are set.

Do any preschooler soccer class you want and then when she starts kindergarten do rec soccer, on a team associated with her school. Rec is laid-back and she'll make friends at her school. Don't worry about the preschool friend group, there is massive reshuffling of friends when kids go to K.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, there's no youth sports race at 2 years old. Look at soccer shots.

OP here. We don't want to get her involved with a soccer program that will eventually become crazy. We don't want that to become her friend circle; we'd rather she start to build friendships with kids in programs that are more oriented around having fun and learning teamwork.

Good lord. OP, the crazy sports programs AREN'T FOR TODDLERS.

Honestly I'm simply asking because I don't know. I assumed they might have programs starting at that age and didn't want her getting involved with something that eventually becomes insane. My nephews started their crazy hockey program at 3 years old. Really intense music programs start at that age. It's not unheard of at all.

actual LOL

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, there's no youth sports race at 2 years old. Look at soccer shots.

OP here. We don't want to get her involved with a soccer program that will eventually become crazy. We don't want that to become her friend circle; we'd rather she start to build friendships with kids in programs that are more oriented around having fun and learning teamwork.

Good lord. OP, the crazy sports programs AREN'T FOR TODDLERS.

Anonymous wrote:Uh, there's no youth sports race at 2 years old. Look at soccer shots.

OP here. We don't want to get her involved with a soccer program that will eventually become crazy. We don't want that to become her friend circle; we'd rather she start to build friendships with kids in programs that are more oriented around having fun and learning teamwork.

Anonymous wrote:Uh, there's no youth sports race at 2 years old. Look at soccer shots.

Uh, you're behind the power curve, friendo!

Uh, there's no youth sports race at 2 years old. Look at soccer shots.

check the montgomery county parks and rec program guide. There are "mommy and me" or similar type programs for young kids who aren't independent yet. There are likely also classes for 3-5 year olds too.

Rec soccer. Fun, much less pressure and craziness than travel.

We're looking at activities for DD to try. Not wedded to doing something immediately; just trying to get a sense of what's out there. We want to expose her to a range of things, so she can figure out what she enjoys. She'll be 3 in October.

It seems like our friends are all signing their kids up for soccer. Is it possible to do soccer in this area without it becoming crazy? We want to try to avoid the youth sports rat race, if that is at all possible.

FWIW we're in Gaithersburg.