The Best & Worst Sports for Kids

Before you sign up your child for his first T-ball game or his fifth soccer season, consider how the experts weigh in and make the best decision for your budding athlete.

I celebrate the seasons as any mother does. The year starts with basketball, then on to baseball, swimming, and finally the soccer season ends as we slide into the holidays. Introducing your child to the wonderful world of sports brings up a whole new set of parenting issues. I know football should be reserved for older kids, but can my four-year-old safely play soccer? Before you sign up your child for his first T-ball game or his fifth soccer season, consider how the experts weigh in and make the best decision for your budding athlete.

Is there a best sport?

To find the best sport for your child, a great deal depends on their personality and their age. Dr. Cynthia LaBella is a pediatric sports medicine specialist at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She explains that each sport requires a unique set of motor skills that develop in their own time. "Parents should be aware that motor development follows a specific timeline. These skills will not develop sooner simply because they are introduced at an earlier age," says LaBella. "Mature running skills come first - between the ages of four and five, then mature throwing skills between six and eight, then mature kicking, hopping and catching between seven and eight years old." The benefits of involving your child in sports can backfire, if they participate in an activity that they’re not ready for. LaBella warns, "When a child attempts to play a sport that is beyond his developmental level, it is frustrating and unsuccessful."

What should my 4 to 9 year old play?

LaBella begins the age break down at four and five year olds. "Most children in this age group are ready for sports that utilize basic motor skills - swimming, running, tumbling, and martial arts," explains LaBella. She finds team sports appropriate for ages five and six, as social and cognitive skills develop. “Children who are six and seven are still relatively far-sighted, which results in a limited ability to track objects and judge their speed. This is why sports such as baseball and tennis are not recommended until age six or seven," she cautions. By ages seven or eight she feels most children have acquired the necessary cognitive and technical skills to compete in complex team sports, such as ice hockey.

A different perspective comes from Dr. Demaria, a clinical psychiatrist at South Nassau Hospital in New York. He cautions parents to choose a sport wisely for this age group, so that their first experience with athletics is a positive one. "For younger children sports should be selected that are simple to understand and easy to play." He recommends soccer or track for beginners.

From a practical point of view, we have Dr. Marshall, Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Program at Children's Healthcare in Atlanta. He reminds us of the short attention span of this age. “Sports need to be active and can't involve a lot of standing around,” says Marshall. He advises us against baseball for this reason, and suggests basketball or soccer instead. Marshall also recommends sports like karate or gymnastics that focus on individual skill building for this age, rather than team sports.

What should my 10 to 13 year old play?

Dr. Limpisvasti is a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. He believes that a child of this age can participate in any sport, as long as it is well-supervised and well-coached. He does not however, encourage specialization in any one sport before puberty. "As the body and mind mature, the child will be better able to withstand the physical, psychological and emotional rigors of competitive single sport specialization," Limpisvasti cautions. "Burn-out is a real phenomenon that is tied into the development of overuse injuries as well." He advises parents to encourage their children to play different sports throughout the year. He adds, "This can help kids stay uninjured and happier about their sporting activities."

Other experts advise parents that the best sport for this age is the one that will offer a suitable peer group for their child. According to Demaria, “As children grow older, peer groups play a greater role in their lives. Finding a sport with a true team aspect can help a child find a supportive peer group which can help them cope with the pressures of this socially sensitive age.”

Marshall explains that at this age a child is better able to understand strategy and competition. In addition, the child's attention span and coordination is much better. He advises, "Basketball, football, soccer and baseball are all good choices."

What should my child 14 years and older play?

At this age our experts point to the real health benefits that are provided to your child by sports. Marshall suggests parents should think long term when guiding their child in the teen years. “Get them involved in aerobic sports that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives, such as tennis, soccer, basketball and racquetball," he suggests.

Demaria sees sports as providing a needed boost in self-esteem for this age group. "As a child reaches older adolescence, sports can help them gain self-esteem when they evaluate their own athletic competency versus the skills of other players. This is a time when a child should choose the team or individual sport they feel most confident in," says Demaria.

Dr. Craig Levitz, the director of orthopedics at South Nassau Hospital in New York, sees tremendous benefits for a child who participates in a sport, especially during the teen years. Besides the overall body conditioning and muscle training, metabolism and bone mass can benefit. "Obesity is an epidemic in teenage children, but is a rarity on the athletic field."

Demaria feels strongly that while the exercise is great, children also benefit psychologically from involvement in sports. "Sports can help children learn self-discipline, the implications of commitment and frustration tolerance," explains Demaria. The negative aspects of sports also provide a teaching opportunity. "A child can learn important coping skills as they grapple with defeat, aggressive competitors, unfair calls from a referee, selfish teammates and less-than-perfect coaches," says Demaria.

What are the warning signs that a sport is not a good match for my child?

If a child withdraws after a game or becomes very upset for too long, parents may need to reconsider the sport. Demaria lists other warning signs as, "nightmares, nervous stomachs, headaches, irritability, and oppositional behavior before games or practices."

From a physical standpoint, Levitz encourages parents to make sure their child is not physically overmatched. "Avoidance of practice, repetitive mysterious injuries and depression should signal that a child is getting too much negative feedback from participation." He advises parents to change their child's sport or move their child to a lower league. "It is far better to be the star of a mediocre league than a benchwarmer for an all star travel team," insists Levitz.

LaBella advises parents to make sure the child’s goals are given priority. "Check in with him frequently to be sure he is still enjoying the sport. Children play sports to have a good time, make friends and learn new skills. When these youth-oriented goals become replaced by adult-oriented goals of rigorous physical training and pressure to win at all costs, children quickly lose interest," says LaBella. Demaria adds that the most important benefit to sports is "the opportunity for children to bond with their parents in a special way." Wise words to keep in mind as you “celebrate the seasons” in your house.

Note: A great information source on children’s sports is Sign Me Up! The Parents' Complete Guide to Sports, Activities, Music Lessons, Dance Classes, and Other Extracurriculars by Stacy M. DeBroff. This guide covers every conceivable activity, discussing the best ages for each sport, safety concerns, cost issues and even providing a concise background on the sport.

Linda Kozlowski is a freelance writer and a mother of two boys and has attended more games than she cares to count.