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Olympic Kids: All About Youth Sports
By Lora White

Every two years, the Olympic games inspire young athletes around the world to dream of taking home the gold. If your child has been bitten by the Olympic bug, you're probably facing his or her newfound sporting obsession with a mixture of pride and hesitation. You love the idea of your daughter being the next Mary Lou Retton, but you have no idea how to find her good, safe gymnastics lessons. You're thrilled that your son swims like a fish in the IM relay, but worry that constant training leaves him no time for an average teen social life.


 Sections

It's not all cheers and trophies raising a child who dreams of athletic glory. Parents of child athletes have a unique set of questions, concerns and challenges. Before you and your wannabe Olympian leap into the sporting life, it pays to learn the rules of the game.

Is Your Child Ready?

Sports can have a great positive influence on a kid's self-esteem and physical and social development. Athletics help kids develop the habit of regular exercise, teach them how to be part of a team, and allow them to experience success and a feeling of significance. It's no wonder parents are pleased when their children express an interest in sports.

But just because a child is glued to television coverage of the pommel horse or pole-vaulting events doesn't mean he or she is ready to take on that sport. Consider your child's physical and mental readiness before running out to buy equipment and signing up for lessons. Sports are a good way to build muscles and skills, but if a kid's body isn't ready for the challenges of a particular sport, he or she will likely experience frustration. Use these guidelines when considering your child's readiness:
  • Is your child mature, able to follow instructions and understand rules? Does he or she work well with others in a group setting?
  • Does your child understand commitment? This is especially important when considering a team sport. Kids should realize that teams are assigned for an entire season, so quitting midway through puts the entire team at a disadvantage.
  • Will taking up a sport be enjoyable for your child? Is the emphasis of the sport on fun, team work and skills-building? You want your youngster to have fun at practices and look forward to the games/competitions.
  • Is your family ready? Kids aren't the only ones who have to commit when they take on a sport. Parents often have to rearrange their schedules to accommodate practices and events. Be sure you and other family members are willing to make these changes before your child becomes involved in a sport. Ideally, sports will unite your family and be an opportunity for you to be supportive of your youngster.
 
BeyondWork Easy Extras
  • Straight Talk about Children and Sport: Advice for Parents, Coaches, and Teachers by Janet Leblanc with Louise Dickson, Coaching Association of Canada. (Mosaic Press New York, 1997, $8.50). This price, equivalent to 5% off the retail price, is available only through the BeyondWork link to Barnes & Noble books.
  • 101 Things You Can Teach Your Kids About Baseball by Don Marsh & Ann C. Marsh. (Campbell Marsh Communications, 1998, $8.50). This price, equivalent to 15% off the retail price, is available only through the BeyondWork link to Barnes & Noble books.
  • Nike Sports Camp Give your kids a chance to improve their game and make friends at the same time. There are more than 500 summertime Nike Sports Camps for 15 sports, offering instructional programs for all ability levels.
  
 

This is the first of a series of articles for parents of children who want to play sports. The next article will appear on October 20.
 
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