Sports for Kids
Sports for kids
Kim John Payne encourages parents to delay organized, competitive sports until children show developmental readiness. He says around 9 years old but our son started at 7 as he was developmentally ready. Sharing some great books on this here:
Beyond Winning: Smart Parenting In A Toxic Sports Environment
Our daughter wasn’t ready until she was 9 though she wanted to start earlier to keep up with her brother. She did try it at 7 but it was way too early.
Under 9, focusing on free play, unstructured movement, and imaginative games are most important. Starting too early can lead to stress, burnout, and loss of intrinsic motivation, as kids may end up playing for parents’ approval rather than for their own joy.
Early, intense sports participation can short-circuit natural development, replacing open-ended play with regimented schedules and adult expectations. Play, not performance, is what develops coordination, balance, problem-solving, and creativity, all of which ultimately help kids become better athletes later.
If they start too early, they may interpret losses as personal failures, which can hurt confidence and create anxiety. Waiting until they can handle winning and losing gracefully allows sports to be a positive experience that builds character rather than erodes self-esteem.
They are less likely to suffer overuse injuries and burnout. And they often stay engaged with sports into adolescence and adulthood because they are there by choice, not because they were pushed.
For early years:
Lots of free outdoor play: climbing trees, building forts, riding bikes.
Simple cooperative games: tag, hide-and-seek, capture the flag.
Rhythmical movement: skipping, hopscotch, jump rope. These help brain development.
Family play: hiking, swimming, tossing a ball, keep it light and fun.
Readiness List
1. Physical Readiness
✅ Has good balance, coordination, and basic motor skills from free play (running, climbing, skipping, throwing).
✅ Can manage their own body safely in a group setting (not overly clumsy or accident-prone).
✅ Enjoys active movement on their own, not just when pushed by adults.
2. Emotional Readiness
✅ Can handle frustration without major meltdowns.
✅ Understands that mistakes are part of learning, they don’t shut down or give up easily.
✅ Can follow group rules without constant reminders or parental hovering.
3. Social Readiness
✅ Plays cooperatively with peers, takes turns, and shares.
✅ Can tolerate losing in games without severe upset or blaming others.
✅ Respects coaches, teachers, and other adults (listens, follows instructions).
4. Cognitive Readiness
✅ Can understand basic game rules and remember them.
✅ Has the ability to focus for at least 30 minutes without constant redirection.
✅ Shows curiosity about sports and asks to join rather than just following friends.