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JANUARY 2008

FROM THE NYU CHILD STUDY CENTER: ASK THE EXPERT
About Kids Who Don’t Like Sports 

By Glenn S. Hirsch, M.D.

More than 30 million  children and adolescents in the United States participate in group or individual sports. The benefits of sports are  numerous: sports are  good for physical and  mental health, and they  promote psychological and academic development.  But what about the remaining millions of  kids who really don’t like sports? I grew up with  two left feet and hated sports. When I became  a dad, I realized that I wanted to find ways to  encourage sports and physical fitness in my own  children in case they inherited my klutziness.

We know that kids need to be physically active  every day. On the other hand, kids also need time  to rest, to think, to do homework, and to socialize  with other kids. Organized team sports appeal to  many kids at first, but then a considerable number  drop out after several years. Why? Some kids  don’t like the competitiveness of organized team  sports. They just like playing spontaneously for  fun. Some kids don’t want to devote the time and  effort. Here are some other reasons kids might be  turned off:

“I just can’t do it”—Jeremy, 5

Some kids develop motor skills, such as kicking  or hitting a ball, later than others. Also, children  under the age of 6 or 7 may not have the attention  span or the ability to understand the rules.

“It’s boring”—Jenny, 8

Some children don’t like the rules and time  requirements of team sports. Some may be afraid  of doing something wrong.

“I’d rather watch TV”—Cindy, 10

Some kids haven’t been encouraged to try different kinds of physical activity.

“I already tried it”—Jimmy, 14

Some kids have already participated in a sport and have not been successful.

“I’m always being watched”—Amy, 14

Some kids feel they’re on display to please other people.

So how can parents find a balance for their  kids? What are some other options?  Many kids are more comfortable when the  emphasis is on individual rather than group  effort, as in bowling, golf, swimming, gymnastics,  fencing, archery, running, or martial arts.  One great favorite is dancing, which most kids  love and combines fun and exercise. There are  many other ways in which they can join in, get fit,  and feel good doing some kind of physical activity.  Music and the dramatic arts offer many of the  advantages of team sports, in that they require  physical dexterity, learning to be part of a team, cooperating in performances, encouraging others, and social awareness.

Tips for Parents

Respect and value your child’s particular abilities  and talents. Your child may have preferences  and gifts in areas other than sports, such as music, drama, writing, or art.

Realize that free play, child-organized games, and physical education programs in school provide opportunities for physical activity.

Make sure your child is physically and cognitively able to handle the demands of sports. Not until the age of 6 or 7 are children developmentally
ready for organized sports.

Parents and coaches may lose sight of the child’s needs in their own drive for success, and the child may be used to satisfy an adult’s needs.

Stay attuned to the child’s signals. Try to assess whether the child is really interested in the activity or just participating to gain adult approval. Watch for signs that the child may not really be enjoying the sport or experiencing the requirements as stressful. Difficulty in sleeping or eating, or obsessive preoccupation with practice and winning, may be warning signs.

While none of my children are truly athletic, they are all interested and involved in physical fitness and enjoy the camaraderie of sports— playing, not just watching.

This monthly column provides educators, parents and families with important information  about child and adolescent mental health issues.  Please submit questions for ASK THE EXPERT  to Glenn S. Hirsch, M.D., Medical Director at  the NYU Child Study Center at glenn.hirsch@  med.nyu.edu. To subscribe to the ASK THE  EXPERT Newsletter or for more information  about the NYU Child Study Center, visit www.  AboutOurKids.org or call 212-263-6622.

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