Parenting Pointers: Finding the Right Team Sport for Your Child

The benefits of enrolling your child in a team sport are undeniable. In addition to the socialization opportunities, team sports are a fantastic way to develop invaluable life skills. For example, responsibility, respect, and active listening. Additionally, team sports give your child an opportunity to offset long hours sitting in school with physical activity, developing their gross motor skills and health.
With so many options available, how can you choose the right sport? Here are some helpful tips for finding the right team sport for your child.

What Do They Like?
The first consideration in choosing a team sport for your child is to ask their preference. If there's something they're interested in trying, they're far more likely to be engaged and active in the sport. Giving them a voice to share their opinion is also very empowering and helps them develop their individuality.
If you have a child who tends to bounce around in terms of interest, it's still worth giving it a shot. It's better to have your child try a season of basketball and change to something else later, rather than feel regret for not having tried. Furthermore, many skills picked up in team sports are transferable, so every bit of experience counts.

What Fits Your Lifestyle?
Unfortunately, sometimes we have to say no to our kids. This is a possibility when considering a team sport that fits your family's lifestyle.
One consideration is the commitment level. It may not be feasible to commit to eight hours of practice a week per child if you have a busy work schedule or multiple children. Another consideration is cost. Buying a brand new pair of dance shoes is one thing; paying for new skates, a helmet, padding, and other gear for hockey is quite another.
While there are always workarounds, such as carpooling and gear loaner programs, it's ok as a parent to say what does or doesn't work for your lifestyle.

What's Local?
Unfortunately, your location might limit your child's options when it comes to choosing a team sport. For example, while football might be an accessible option in rural areas, sports like rugby and lacrosse may not be.
Look into the options that are available locally and let your child know if there are any limitations based on this consideration. For those in rural areas, gaining access to certain sports might mean traveling into the city. Again, that possibility will also be impacted by your lifestyle.


Age Appropriateness
Age options are another limitation to consider when choosing a team sport. While many sports have age-appropriate sessions, that won't always be the case. For example, soccer and dance often have introductory sessions for younger children to get them comfortable with a less-structured version of the sport before scaling up. Basketball or football may not.
If the sport in which they're interested in doesn't have an age-appropriate option for them, look into other team sports with transferable skills. Talk to your child about the age limits and discuss how choosing a different sport will help them prepare when they come of age.

When choosing a team sport for your child, look into local trial options or introductory sessions. This will help you and your child get a better idea of which team sport is right for them— and for you.