Toddlers don't understand the concept. A new article in this month's issue of The Physician and Sportsmedicine outlines some practical steps for making sure children are involved in age-appropriate sports. At that age, kids are egocentric. It's all about them. They're having fun, but they're not able to understand goals and the complexities of the sport.
Some kids mature more quickly than others.
You need to match your child with a sport or exercise activity they are ready for. It means knowing whether they can work in a group, whether they can follow instructions, what their abilities and interests are. Before they hit age 5, throwing, catching, running, and jumping are as close as kids come to 'sports,' says Churley. Save hockey for later, but nurture interest by letting young kids hold a stick, push a puck, possibly try ice skating, says Churley. Young kids can get on a swim team relatively early.