Op thanks for all the suggestions. I think the consensus is that he sounds like a normal five year old, but the fact that every other kid around the same age (on both teams) can get through the game and focus on what’s happening concerns me. I spoke with his school teacher today and she said he is happy to be there but definitely struggles with attention, but doesn’t want to say look into it yet because he’s so young. For example while all the kids are sitting on the mat, he will be off to the side rolling around. He isn’t interested in painting or doing anything they are learning about. Not sure if he should be evaluated for something or if it will pass. There are things he can do (riding a bike, swims, knows his letters) but he has no use for art or sports whatsoever

OP please give more context. Besides the soccer game, is he unprofessional in other situations? How is he at Kumon, and violin lessons? Does he follow through when you tell him to cook dinner or wash the car?

He’s a 5 year old who doesn’t want to play soccer. Maybe he’ll want to when he’s 6 or 7 or maybe he’ll never want to play soccer.
That’s ok!

Sounds like he has correctly apprehended that soccer is boring AF!

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like how most 5 year olds are regarding sports, tbh. Those super-focused kids with skills are rarer than the chaotic kids who all either chase the ball or simply sit down and play with the grass.

My kid kept digging a hole when he was put on 2nd base so he got moved to outfield. There he sat down and played with grass. And collected rocks... he'd somehow end each game with so many freaking rocks in his pockets! This was not unique to him, either. Kids constantly exited the field whenever they were thirsty, tired, hot, or needed to use the bathroom.

He got more serious about baseball in the 2nd grade. He's now 17 and has been playing since he was 4. It just took a few years for him to be less chaotic.

Yep. When my 6 year old focuses on something, she can do it pretty well. For the first 20 minutes of her last rec soccer game, she was scoring goals and stealing the ball from the other team.

Then she decided she was hot and tired and bored and really wasn’t into it anymore.

Same with piano. When she focuses, she can sightread a piece and play really nicely. But she’s just as likely to want to spin around on the piano bench and pretend to be a guinea pig.

It’s the age. They’ll mature and their abilities will shine more. Not at all reason for concern.

This sounds like how most 5 year olds are regarding sports, tbh. Those super-focused kids with skills are rarer than the chaotic kids who all either chase the ball or simply sit down and play with the grass.

My kid kept digging a hole when he was put on 2nd base so he got moved to outfield. There he sat down and played with grass. And collected rocks... he'd somehow end each game with so many freaking rocks in his pockets! This was not unique to him, either. Kids constantly exited the field whenever they were thirsty, tired, hot, or needed to use the bathroom.

He got more serious about baseball in the 2nd grade. He's now 17 and has been playing since he was 4. It just took a few years for him to be less chaotic.

OP, neither of my 5 year olds liked soccer and were much like you described. Soccer is many people’s go to first team sport because of the availability and lack of equipment necessary. We did 2 seasons each and then called it quits. We only lasted 2 seasons because my kids insisted on the 2nd season with their friends. While there is nothing wrong with your son based on this behavior, I will add that children with ADHD have an extremely difficult time with team sports, as do intellectually gifted children (my older child is both).

Don’t be embarrassed of your 5 year old - it sounds like he’s well behaved but that he doesn’t have much interest in soccer. Maybe he will develop an interest and maybe he will move on to something else. It’s really too early to tell.

My kid hated team sports. He loved individual ones though. Fencing was great for him. Lots of focus involved.

Rec soccer is absolutely terrible. It’s a miracle any kid actually sticks with it. Both of my kids (who are teen athletes) were one and done with soccer.

My kid started soccer at five and all he'd do is stand in the field hopping on one foot. I remember the following year I told him when he scored we'd celebrate by going out for ice cream. I took him for ice cream once that season, after the last game, even though he never scored a single goal (and he wasn't too bothered about it). He ended up getting into it around age 8 and now is pretty good, playing on his middle school team and a club team. He really enjoys it. So you never know. I never cared too much and still don't about how he plays; just wanted him to have fun, be with friends and get exercise. Don't be embarrassed by your kid. He's totally normal. Maybe soccer will be his thing and maybe it won't but what he's doing at age 5 doesn't foreshadow his future.

My kid was like this at 5. He still plays rec soccer and his head is much more in the game now (he actually blocks goals and scores). However, he just isn’t into being competitive with it. He just wants to play and have fun. Swimming, on the other hand, is where he puts his efforts to learn, improve, and compete. There is nothing wrong with playing a sport for fun. We all did it with intramural sports in college.

I see seven year old coming off the field crying and refuse to go back because someone kicked him. OP, nothing kills the joy of any sports faster than a over zealots parent.

He's 5, and soccer probably isn't his thing, and he just wants to play.

He's FIVE. You're a real a-hole if you think there is something wrong with him.

Anonymous wrote:Not every kid is sporty especially at a young age - it's your attitude that is the problem - not him, sorry.

Nah. My kid hated soccer and was terrible at most ball sports.... turns out to be a superstar at track.. can't say that's not sporty.