Sports for 3 1/2 Yo Boy

Hi T.!

My son has been involved in the Soccer Tots program for a year...we started with them when he was 18 months old. It has done wonders for him!!! My son is incredibly laid back, not at all aggressive in any way. My son was always the one in Gymboree classes to sit and watch the other kids, never wanted to do the activities...LOL. Well since beginning soccer tots he has changed a little. The first session we did he was not 100% sold on being there but we took it slow and now he is 200% sold! he LOVES it and talks about it ALL week!!! It has really taught him to take turns VERY well, it is NOT all soccer, it is indoors, and they do a lot of general coordination drills...it is an adorable program and would recommend it to Everyone it is so great for boys and girls!!! You can try a free class, look them up in your area most classes start in the next week or so...trust me you will love it!!!

Not sure what area you are in but you can look up sites like TBYFL.com, Pop Warner, and PAL leagues all have football. My children have both played on tbyfl & pal leagues for football & cheerleading, but I believe the ages start at 5. I9 sports usually starts younger plus they offer more like soccer and other sports. Most of the local rec centers offer sports as well.

Good luck!!

I have never heard of PreSchool Sports USA, but I have to say that while reading your post I was thinking it would be great to find something 100% age appropriate to introduce him to different sports, then when he is a bit older he can decide which one (if any) he liked the best and stick with that one. If there is a program out there that ends when he is 5, I say try that one. You know they will be age appropriate. I used a local soccer league for my son when he was young and I regret it because the coach had his own sons on the team and they were so good that he kept making the team play older teams-- and because my son wasn't as "good" as the other kids he got less time on the field. They say it's not about winning, but some of them aren't telling the truth! Whether it's the one you mentioned or some other one, just make sure the coach truely is all about teaching the kids the game and not keeping score and beating other teams.

Hi T.,
I am the owner of My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Westchase. We offer classes that teach children basic sports skills in a non-competitive setting. Our classes run year round and you can join at any time. We do relays, sports, tumbling, and so much more. The classes and gym are set up different every week so the children never get tired of seeing the same things over and over again. We offer a 2 week free trial if you would like to see how our program works. We also waive our registration fee for all mamasource members. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or would like to come join us for the trial membership. ###-###-#### ____@____.com

Pinellas Park PONY league has pre-tee and tee-ball starting at ages 2 1/2 or 3. My daughter played last year at age 3 and enjoyed it. It's just to teach them how to play, have fun, be with a team etc. They don't keep score and everyone plays, hits etc. Sign ups are every wed eve and sat am in January. If he loved it he could stay with them yearly till high school...

Most cities have soccer.... Largo, Clearwater, etc they usually start by 4. Most rec centers offer shortened versions of a season so kids can try it out and not be expected to endure an entire season if they realize they don't care for it. Kids won't know until they try, just like new food, but most won't want to be forced to take part for 3+ months if they aren't having fun....

Highland rec does a preschool sports thing where it's one or 2 weeks (or maybe it was a month) of
one sport, then they switch. It was Sat am and did soccer, basketball, baseball and something else.

Countryside mall and Clearwater ice arena also offer ice skating in 8 week sessions, can lead into hockey or figure skating later once the kids are decent skaters.

Good luck!

T. – I am not sure where you live, but Idlewild Baptist church has a GREAT recreation program! I am personally not a member of the church – I am actually Catholic and attend St. Mary’s. However, someone turned me on to Idlewild when my son was 3. It is very inexpensive in comparison to the other youth programs ($75 for non Idlewild members).

I like the program for several reasons. 1) They are not competitive! It is about learning to play and having fun – not about who wins or loses! 2) The coaches volunteer and are usually there with their own children and I have yet in my 3 years come across a coach that did not give every child the one on one attention that they needed. 3) The seasons run 8-10 weeks – short enough that a 3 or 4 year old gets to have fun, understand the game, and doesn’t have a chance to get board with it. It is also short enough that if they aren’t really in to it, that they can follow through without too much hassle (which I have had to do with my youngest).

The coaches are suppose to stop half way through practice and have a 10 minute conversation/educational session about God. Most of the time the coaches talked about how being a good teammate and helping others is what God loves to see. Things like that – not too crazy!! They are very subtle. In addition, at the end of the season they have an award ceremony where every child gets a trophy and one child per team gets the Joshua Award (an award for being the most “Godly” for a lack of better words – they are the one’s that are the nicest to their teammates and play with heart and help people when they fall, etc. – not just the best). Idlewild also give them their uniform so you don’t have to purchase one.

Anyway – now that I have written a book. I love the Idlewild recreation program and I think that you would too. There next sport is T-ball/baseball and I have posted the link below for you. It starts March 15th, but registration/sizing day is 2/6.

http://www.idlewild.org/ibcrec/youth-leagues/boys-basebal...

Hi,

I haven;t tried these out yet but have heard great things about SoccerTots.

http://www.soccertots.net/programs/