Inspired by the olympics I’ve been thinking about what sports I would like to get my children into, as well as what other activities. I don’t think it’s fair to get young kids to do too many sports/activities, however there are just so many great ones out there… so hard to pick!!!
What sports/activities do your kids (or do you plan for your furture kids) do? From what age did they start?
I understand many activites can be chosen according to a child’s interests when they are old enough to choose, but with many sports/ activities it is an advantage to start young - how did you choose what activities/ sports to involve your child in? Is it clear what they will like/ be good at from an early age?
For me it would be important for my kids to do swimming and one musical instrument (probably piano) from an early age. But I would love for them to try out some other things too… not sure what yet!
I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years and a diver for 4 of those years as well as being in choir for 6 years, 2 of which were a show choir. I want my future kids to be able to swim, at least enough to not drown if not competitively, and play the piano (going to get my family’s heirloom piano out of storage when we get our own house), then they can choose an instrument to continue with once they have the piano down. I’d really like them to be able to play harp, violin/fiddle, guitar, and drums (I want 4 kids so one each instrument, LOL), but it’ll be their choice, those just happen to be my favorite instruments. I would really like if I could enroll them in Gaelic dancing, but it depends on where we settle down and if the area has a program that’s close enough.
I really want to put my son into gymnastics or dancing. He is two and already doing Somersaults and balancing on park equipment. We started him skiing last winter, which he loved, hoping when he is a bit older to try him on a snowboard, since the hubs and I board. He may also end up being a skateboarder like his daddy, since he can’t wait to take him out and teach him.
I’m definitely putting my kids in swimming lessons for a couple years when they’re young. Learning to swim and being comfortable in water is really important to me.
After that, I don’t have a preference in what kind of activities they do, but I will probably sign them up for diving once they can swim in the deep end (so, 4), and I’d like to put them in some kind of ‘tot gymnastics’ thing when they’re between 2 and 3. I just think little kids like gymnastics, haha, so that’d be fun. I was a diver for 5 years and coached for 8 years, so that’s a sport I understand and am comfortable with.
My brothers and I did a huge medley of sports growing up, and while none of us ever went pro, we all had a good time, competed, and learned a lot. I think it helped with time management and responsibility, too.
I do have to say, I’d love to put my daughter in rhythmic gymnastics. I did it for a winter when I was about 6, and hated it because I had separation anxiety from my mom, lol, but I really, really wish I’d been more open to it. I’m happy I was involved in diving, but rhythmic gymnastics is so cool!
If my kids aren’t interested in sports, though, I won’t care. I do want them to know how to swim, but other than that, it doesn’t matter. If they’re interested in music, or gardening, or painting, or orienteering, I’m game for that. I think it’s important they do something that’ll get them out and meeting people their age and learning social skills in a safe environment, but I don’t really care what it is.
When I have kids, I will definitely put them in swimming lessons, just so they now how to swim, a very important life skill. Whether they go competitive would be their decision, I wouldn’t force it on them.
I’d let them do what they like, just so they get activity, whether it be dancing/theater or karate or ice skating or swimming or gymnastics or fencing.
I’ll probably give my kids piano lessons, too, because it’s also a good skill to know. Maybe voice lessons when they’re older if they show potential and interest. I come from a musical family, so it’s important that my future children will do something musical, even if it’s just kiddie choir at church.
It is important to me for kids to do what they love, make new friends, learn new skills and get activity.
When I have children, I’d like for them to play an instrument, learn a language, and do a form of sport/dance. The particular instrument, language or type of sport/dance is irrelevant, I’m not bothered so long as they do one of them, it can be their own personal choice.
My own parents insisted on the same with myself and my siblings and it worked out great. Being fluent in French from a young age gave me a huge advantage in secondary school, as did being a Grade 7 on the [name]Piano[/name] when I did [name]Music[/name] as one of my subjects for my A-Levels. Having done Ballet from a young age, I was always active and fit and it was great for relieving stress during my teenage years.
I don’t think one could go wrong with that formula of extra curricular activities. I plan on gently introducing these activities from the age of 2-3 years old, so that their hobbies will be part of normal, everyday life from the start. There will be no pressure to be the best in the world at any of their hobbies, so long as they try their hardest I’ll be okay with it.
I’d also love if they did competitive swimming but so long as they are able to swim well and hold their own in the water, I’ll be happy to let that one go.
DD1 will be starting dance this fall at age three. It was a toss-up between dance and gymnastics (she wants to try both, especially after watching the Olympics!) but we feel one activity is enough for her age. She will also be starting swim lessons next spring, along with her sister who will be two. We’ll look into starting other things (music, other sports, Scouts) as they get a little bit older.
DD is starting dance this fall (ok, creative movement). Several girls from her daycare also are taking the class, so fingers crossed that she’ll enjoy it. Next summer I also am hoping she’ll take swimming lessons. I took piano growing up (still play) and DH played the saxophone in his school band & still plays guitar from time to time, so music lessons are definitely in the future for both DD & baby #2 (DS).
I teach ballet/tap/tumbling for 2 year olds on up (my oldest are second year pointe). [name]LOVE[/name] that so many of you have children in dance! I’m biased, but growing up in the dance studio is the best! It’s also good to see a positive grounded attitude about it. It’s usually clear from day 1 if I have kids in the class who are only there because mom wants her to be a ballerina, that’s no fun to see.
@girlymegz, love that youre thinking about dance for your son! The boys I teach (usually from the age of 2 or 3 on up) are so much fun to have in class and its wonderful for the girls in class to see that dance is for everyone, not just little girls in pink leotards. It makes the whole class better when its a mix of boys and girls in my opinion.
The only thing thats non negotiable for my future children is that they be bilingual because they will be dealing with grandparents who speak two different languages. This would just be around the house early on obviously, but I would want them to take a class to get a handle on the grammar and sharpen up their skills (as the second language isnt one thats traditionally available in school systems). Of course I’d love for them to have the opportunity to learn an instrument, and I’d be over the moon to have children in dance, but I dont believe in pushing too hard if theyre not passionate about it too.
When I was around 4-5 my mom signed my up for softball since she played it, even after I was born. Then at age 5 she took me to a football game and I was plopped in front of the cheerleaders the whole game. I hated softball, which she knew, but kept signing me up. Luckily, she still signed me up for cheerleading. Finally, my father let me make the decision to stop playing softball. The rule was, that once I was signed up for something I had to finish out the season. 17 years later I coach five year old cheerleaders.
They also had a rule that until I was in high school I had to participate in an athletic program as well as an artistic one. I played the flute and I was in chorus.
I appreciated that my mom wanted to pass on her love of the sport, but they also supported my wishes. I’ll probably sign my future daughters up for cheerleading and gymanstics and play it by ear. If she asks to stop, that’s fine but she’ll have to find another physical activity. I’d love to see my future sons playing football, but I guess I’ll let my s/o make that decision (if I get cheerleading, he can get whatever sports he wants) and keep the rule of one athletic and one artistic.
I’ve always known I want my children to do ballet. I’ve been dancing since I was three, so it’s very important to me. I’m a yoga instructor, so I’m guessing there’ll be plenty of yoga too. Apart from that I’d like them to have art classes, drama classes & play a classic instrument (violin, cello, piano) I’d also love them to learn how to ski! I’m going to send my children to the [name]Rudolf[/name] Steiner school, and drama, art & music are a big part of that education.
My kids will be bilingual, but I want them to learn french or italian.
I do hockey, dancing, violin, church groups, netball, sailing, singing lessons so quite a lot. I used to do gymnastics but I stard o get dizzy every time I went upside down so I had to stop. I think that my children should do a lot of activities but I am not adamant on swimming lessons as I think I am just going to teach them myself.
SO will be teaching swimming to any kids. He’s a fish and I’m the awkward person who stands in the deep end and can barely swim.
I grew up in a bowling alley as did my parents and while I bowl its not something I see myself or my kids doing. I’d love to see any of my future sons play football or hockey (if it’s available where we wind up living). Daughters will probably be put in softball or soccer or hockey. I’d also love for my kids to be bilingual (English/[name]German[/name]) but I speak very broken [name]German[/name] and SO only recognizes words so that probably won’t happen. I might try for Spanish as we both have some fluency with it and it will probably be more helpful than [name]German[/name].