Parenting Question (Sports, Small Kids)

levirm
Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:04:25 +0000

Maybe you can find a soccer league that operates like ours - it starts out with “mini-soccer” (3 on 3 games, no goalie - this prevents the flower picking) at age 5 but has all kinds of rules to keep parents on great behavior and to keep the playing fun and developmentally appropriate:
Parents are not allowed to say any kid’s name. They can cheer for the whole team (“Go Blue”) but not an individual player. They are not allowed to shout any instructions. They can only praise an action that has already been done, not using the kid’s name. They are not allowed to criticize - the players or ref. They thank the ref after the game, in front of their kids. Kids line up after the game and thank the other team. In the youngest age groups, the ref does not keep score (although some of the kids do). Coaches are chosen for their ability to work with kids. All parents must volunteer for the league in some capacity.
The great thing about soccer at age 5 (not 4) is that kids can do it! Hand-eye coordination has not really developed yet, but they can kick a ball. They do “cluster” around the ball, which is why the mini-soccer works much better.
One advantage that no one has mentioned yet is the social aspect of being on a team. My kids started soccer at age 5 (this was decided by my first 5 year old, who told her grandparents that she was going to be on a “real soccer team” before I knew a thing about this; they all gave her soccer balls, socks, etc. for her birthday and that is how I found out!) It was such a great experience that my other kids followed. They played other sports also at older ages. The best thing about it is that they have remained friends with their teammates (my oldest is 25 now and is still friends with teammates)- and their teammates are really great!
And yes, two members of my daughter’s high school team wore head scarves.