When and How to Choose an Organized Sport for your Child

By Julie Christensen

For many families, September isn’t just back-to-school time. Fall also signals the beginning of sports season. Children and coaches fill neighborhood parks and fields, as organized soccer, lacrosse and football seasons start. Over 30 million children enroll in organized sports programs each year, according to the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). Most of these programs are offered through public recreational programs supported by tax dollars.

Organized sports programs have many benefits. Sports provide a safe, structured outlet to increase physical activity and reduce childhood obesity. Through organized sports, children learn self-discipline, teamwork, ethics and how to cope with success and failure. Children who participate in sports, according to the Michigan State University’s Study of Youth Sports, tend to do better in school, learn excellent interpersonal skills and live healthier lives. But some parenting experts have expressed concern over a win-at-all costs attitude that pushes kids too far, too fast. According to Alvin Rosenfeld, MD and author of The Over-Scheduled Child, parents should provide a balance of playtime and structured activities, maintain a healthy attitude towards organized sports and choose well-trained coaches.

Maintaining Balance

If you find yourself giving up family time to drive kids to practices, or breaking the family budget to pay for sports camps and equipment, it may be time to reassess your priorities. Decide as a family what is most important. Most families would probably rate their priorities as family first, followed by educational, religious, or volunteer opportunities, followed by sports. If sports activities are impacting quality family time or your child’s education, it may be time to pull back.