I'm wanting to enroll my 3 1/2 year old son in some kind of sport or other such activity but looking for suggestions on what! We don't have any solid ideas of what we want him to do, I just want him to start learning a skill of some sort, responding to another adult, getting some more movement and physical development, etc. So what have others done and been happy with at this age? We've thought of soccer, tennis, I said gymnastics but my husband didn't want that for him...what else? Oh, we do swimming lessons at our house in the summer and he's doing great with that, looking for something for this time of year.
We live in Dallas TX so anyone from this area, feel free to recommend specific places, but I'm not limiting the location because mainly I'm just looking for general ideas.
Thanks mommies!
I second The Little Gym. It's amazing. There is a sports class and a karate class if your husband doesn't want straight gymnastics. However, gymnastics has been proven to be so beneficial in sports later in life. :)
Have you thought of karate. I know a few children who started at age 3 to 4.
I don't know if there is one in your area, but my son did the Little Gym at that age and loved it. His class was gymnastics (they alternate time on the equipment with circle time and different preschool activities) (and it was primarily little boys in the classes) but they also have a sports class. There is also My Gym if the Little Gym isn't in your area. We also did swimming year round. There is also a Soccer Shots class for preschool kids (much better than rec league which he had little interest in at age 5). Now at age 5 he asked to join the boys gymnastics class at the place my daughter goes to. We let him because it is a great way for him to get his energy out, and he likes it so much more than my daughter does.
Why doesn't your husband want gymnastics? I assume he hasn't been inside a gym lately: obstacle courses, bars, trampoline, climbing walls, swings, foam pits, it's little boy paradise! And they build great strength and coordination there.
You could try something like soccer or tennis but at three years old they really just want to run and play. That's why the tumbling/gym programs are so popular, they are so much fun your kid doesn't even realize he is doing something GOOD for him :)
Do you have a local park district? Ours offers a sports class where they switch sports every other week, introducing the kids to all their options.
Check with your local Rec center and see what sports they are offering right now (probably Basketball). How about an art class or gymnatics. My hubby didnt like the idea for our oldest son when he was this age but my son had one trial class and just loved it.
