Ready to Team Up?

Team sports are a classic way to get kids moving and may be more motivating than solitary activities . . . for some. But not all kids are ready and willing.

Before the new school year begins, get a read on whether your kids are ready for team competition. Ask yourself these questions: Do they show an interest in organized sports? Is their emotional maturity similar to that of their peers? How well do they accept defeat? How well do they take direction? Are they big enough and coordinated enough to minimize injury?

For kids under 6, consider a team activity where everyone wins in the end and no score is kept. Most kids over 6 have a grasp of teamwork and may be interested in more competitive games. But children grow, mature, and learn skills at different rates, and sometimes the physical and psychological demands of a team are too much for a child. Up until about age 11, kids are still figuring out how to build friendships. Although team sports do teach cooperation, winning and losing are also part of the game, and trying to win when friends are on an opposing team can be confusing for some youngsters.