Resources on Early Learning

Tip Sheets

Running, climbing, sledding—children need active play. But safe places for children to be active can be hard to find. Are organized sports activities the answer?

Some doctors and psychologists think that free play and family activities—hiking, playing catch—are healthier for a young child than organized sports activities offered by private groups or by Park Districts. Others feel children can benefit from well-planned sports classes built around children's needs. Are you looking into sports for your preschooler? Here are some questions to ask before you enroll your child.

Does the program fit my child's needs?

• A good class format for young children involves 15-20 minutes of structured activity combined with 30 minutes of free play. Classes that teach cooperative games or a variety of sport-related skills are popular. Good programs emphasize safety, learning, and fun: "Everyone plays. Everyone is a winner."
• A child won't excel in a sport just because she learns its skills and rules early in life. Complex game rules may confuse a young child. Her bones and muscles may not be ready for what a sport demands. She may become seriously injured if she plays organized sports by rules that are appropriate for older children.

Is the program committed to safety?

• Are staff members trained in first aid and CPR? Accidents can happen any time children are physically active.
• Do children get plenty of water to avoid dehydration, especially in hot weather?
• Do children warm up, keep moving, and cool down during class? Uneven activity—waiting a long time to run, catch, or kick a ball, and then exerting a lot of energy all at once—can lead to cramps or muscle strains.

NOTE: Contact sports are dangerous for young children. Adult-style basketball, football, soccer, or hockey can seriously harm a child. Safety gear does not give enough protection to avoid injuries when children play by rules meant for older children.

Do the adult leaders know children as well as they know sports?

• Ask program leaders about their philosophy, training, and credentials. Watch the staff in action. Do children stay constructively involved while taking turns? Are instructors patient with the children? Do they show parents how to encourage without pushing a child too hard?
• Scolding and yelling take the fun out of games and will not make a child learn faster or play better!

For more information about young children and organized sports, try these resources:

• Organized Sports for Children and Preadolescents
  http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/
  full/pediatrics;107/6/1459
• Is Your Preschooler Ready for Organized Sports?
  http://www.preschoolerstoday.com/articles/fun-and-creativity/put-me-in-coach-3034/#
• Fitness and Your 4-5 Year Old
  http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?
  article_ID=ZZZ0FQCN2AC&sub_cat=405

The opinions, resources, and referrals provided in this Tip Sheet are intended for information purposes only and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We advise parents to seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding their child’s health or medical conditions.

Spanish: Los deportes organizados y los niños pequeños

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