Toddlers Too Young for Sports?

What age is too early for a child to play sports?

We've all heard the controversies surrounding kids specializing in activities at a young age and some parents' outrage that sports for children should be fun rather than competitive. While I agree that there are some parent-athlete fanatics that are extreme, when watching my daughter mimic dancers and athletes on television, or when she tries to participate with kids at the park, I had to ask myself is it really so bad?  

In my opinion, there's a fine line between your child wanting to participate, and parents forcing their child (many whose kids are visibly NOT athletes) to engage in activities that become work, for the child. When chatting among adults, more and more are buying into the idea that the more sports activities their child is enrolled, the greater their chances at exposure and a scholarship for college, better yet, a professional career. While this drive for an advantage in later years to avoid paying outrageous college tuition rates is understandable, early involvement does not guarantee a competitive edge. The idea that if you get your kids' name out early enough, then the battle for scarce varsity spots is no competition. As a former athlete, I value the winner-takes-all mentality, but not at the expense of the child. When children are involved in activities too early because the parents forced or insisted they participate, rather than it being the child's joy and desire, that's when many children burn out or worse, they can themselves right before or at the peak of their careers. Furthermore, it doesn't guarantee future athletic success. Do I think children should be allowed to participate in sports early? Yes. But only if the child shows signs of interest. When you're forcing attendance, or they're no longer having fun, or you're having to hold them back a year for the competitive edge, that activity is probably not for them. Physical education and activities are a great thing, just make sure that at an early age, your child enjoys it.

-OzzyMommy