Getting the most out of organized sports:

What sports will your child be in this year? More importantly--why? My father in law, a former football player, wants to coach the boys when they're a bit older, but football isn't offered in our school district after middle school. And what about the intense practices, time commitment and risk of injury?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children's sports at the beginning of the 20th century were characterized by spontaneous, unstructured play--without adult involvement. But "unstructured games primarily gave way to organized sports." Despite potential benefits, organization of sports can "create demands and expectations that exceed the readiness and capabilities of young participants" and "shift the focus to goals that are not necessarily child oriented."

"Basic motor skills, such as throwing, catching, kicking, and hitting a ball, do not develop sooner simply as a result of introducing them to children at an earlier age ... The familiar image of a parent imploring their 5-year-old to 'catch the ball,' 'kick the ball,' or 'run faster' is a reminder of how adult encouragement can have discouraging effects."

On the other hand, organized sports provide an opportunity to enforce safety rules. "Recommendations have been made to limit dangerous practices, such as headfirst sliding in baseball and body checking in hockey. Safety accommodations ... include smaller playing fields, shorter contest times, pitch counts for Little League pitchers, softer baseballs, matching opponents by weight..."

"Unfortunately, the days when children had the time, opportunity, or inclination to play in neighborhoods or local parks have passed. Today, there are more demands on a young person's time ... and fewer opportunities for free play. School-based physical education programs ... can no longer be relied on to provide adequate levels of healthy activity."

For preschoolers, the AAP recommends "no longer than 15 to 20 minutes of structured activity combined with 30 minutes of free play."

For children and preadolescents the AAP is less specific, noting that factors such as"fun, success, variety, freedom, family participation, peer support, and enthusiastic leadership encourage and maintain participation, whereas ... failure, embarrassment, competition, boredom, regimentation, and injuries discourage subsequent participation."

"Organized sports programs for preadolescents should complement, not replace, the regular physical activity that is a part of free play ... and physical education programs in the schools."

There's a new option in local sports--rowing!!! Your college-bound high school student can learn to row on beautiful Otsego Lake, under the instruction of a former Olympic rower. Interested students must pass an aerobic fitness test, be able to swim and be likely applicants at universities that offer rowing. For details, contact Andrea Thies or James Northrup.