Prepping for the Fun of Sports

Sports are such a fun part of childhood.  I would love it if every kiddo got the chance to experience team sports.  There are so many great benefits (encourages outside time, gives more options to do with friends, and on and on).

The interesting thing I have observed is that kids seem to fall into one of two categories in youth sports.  They are either generally good to great in every sport they try… or they are completely uncoordinated and distracted.  Even that second category can be overcome of course, but it is interesting to see this giant disparity between those two cases.

I think it is probably because of parent interaction in the first few years of life.  If I am right then I would highly encourage including a lot of activities that require hand-eye coordination.  Building and knocking down towers early.  Lightly tossing the ball into outstretched arms from a foot or so away a bit later.  Kicking the ball back and forth.  Throwing balls for no real reason.  All good.

I think that this interaction is like the equivalent of phonics and learning letters to learning to read.  Provide your child with the foundation they can use to explore this awesome part of childhood.  Then turn them loose on all sports and enjoy the fruits of your years of effort.

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