Organized sports for little ones

sarahandtim

Does anyone have any experience with programs like Soccer Shots? Apparently my parents believe Logan has a natural ability towards soccer (we shall see), and I was thinking about getting him involved in a program in the spring. He turns 3 in February, so I'm sure it's more mass chaos than actual learning, but at least he can run and meet new kids.

Figured I'd see if anyone had program recommendations or experience. If it were dance class I'd be fine. Sports is a weird new world for me.

lala5507

Do you have a YMCA near you?  Ours offers some preschool sports programs and they are only 6 week sessions (I think).  They also have kinder multi-sport.  Which is soccer, hockey and something else. 

egpitt22

I keep saying that we're going to bypass sports for Liam and enroll him in some hip hop classes...that boy can shake it!

Anyway-we started Jake out through i9 for sports...he did tball, but they have soccer, too.  It's nice because it's only on saturdays, for one hour at that age...that included 30 minutes of instruction/practice and 30 minutes of a "game"   they play both tball and soccer at Schwartz Field at North Park, so nice and close by.

bride2003

Eamon is a little over 3 and he does gymnastics once a week.  He was too little for the other stuff yet.  Next spring we may do t ball or something through I9, Franklin Park or the Y.  I wouldn't get crazy about it but never hurts to get him into something where he has to listen, pay attention, take your turn & follow direction.  I like that about gymnastics. 

egpitt22

Sarah, I think Ross township offers some type of preschool soccer program as well if you wanted to check into that option.

Meghan&Rich

We did i9 as well.  We've done t-ball in the past, and this is the first season that we've tried soccer.  It's also the first season that Garrett has played.  It is definitely the mass chaos as you described, so it is good to keep your expectations low!  On the 3 year old team, most of the kids cry, don't always want to play, etc.  (Garrett cries any time someone other than him scores - even his own team.  And if he's kicking the ball and someone kicks it away from him?  He yells "HEY!  STOP IT!" then throws a fit.)  That being said, I'm glad we did it!  And I love that i9 is only one day a week.

We played TBall at Schwartz Field and Soccer at Windhurst Field (off of Evergreen).

sarahandtim

I was actually thinking about gymnastics for the winter, but I worry that Logan doesn't have the vocabulary to just send him into the class on his own. Since I'll have a newborn, that took the mommy and me option off the table. Where does Eamon take classes? I might still think about this at some point.

AmandaJLewis

EJ did soccer shots through daycare for like 3 years or so. I like that it broke up her day and wasn't eating up our evenings or weekends.  Also, expecting a 3 year old to play an organized game at that age is kinda comical.  So it is all just games that create some soccer skills and practice some large motor skills. We were happy with the program and EJ enjoyed it a lot.

This is the first year we signed her up for the community soccer program, it is an hour of skills followed by an hour long game. She will be 7 in December. It took her a week to feel comfortable playing on a team and becoming more aggressive about taking the ball but she is having a lot of fun with it now. I do not regret not sticking her into "real" soccer sooner.  Also, this program is just 2 hours on Saturday. We are not about to commit more time than that.

gwennythepooh

We've just done swim lessons with Claire so far. I looked into a basketball and a sports combo class through the Y (heads up you have to pay a 'program fee' on top of the non member fee with the Y) and we decided to hold off a little longer because she's in a pretty clingy place right now. I think we might look into again in the Spring.

Jcubed2003

The North Hills Soccer Club has "Little Kickers." Kids must be 4 by the start of the season in order to play. The sessions are at the fields on Reis Run Road. The coaches are very patient with the kids. 

Luckystar2

We did a baseball and soccer smart start program when dd was 3 and 4. I will tell you that she hated them! In particular really hated the soccer. This past spring/summer we did tball and soccer teams and she enjoyed those. Personally I didn't really love the smart start programs. I think it was a little boring for dd. They work on skills which is a good idea in theory but I think it needed more fun! Dd just didn't find it fun at all. And I really don't think it helped her skills. What really helped was just working on stuff at home with her. But I think exposing them to different activities is good. Dd Is naturally good at soccer and tball but again I don't think the early program really helped with that.

We did swimming off and on since she was a baby as well as gymnastics. Although it was a parent and kid class at age 3. Dd is currently doing gymnastics and is absolutely in love with it.

denalea

DS did Soccer Shots through daycare in January and LOVED it.  He was just over 2 1/2, but very verbal, so it wasn't hard to keep up.  He still loves to play "soccer."  (Kick the ball!)  It was helpful in that he had to listen, pay attention, take his turn, etc., which are good life skills!  I wouldn't hesitate to sign him up for it again if DC offers it again and it works with our schedule.  It was also only 6 weeks, which was a nice time frame.

At this point I'm hesitant to sign him up for anything that requires a time commitment on my part.  He won't be 4 til May, so I'm thinking NEXT summer, once he is 5.  The Saturday AM only thing would probably be something we will need.  My schedule is so crazy I have NO idea how we will manage once S has a schedule of his own to maintain!!!

MrsAmers

Todd did a program like soccer shots when he was 3 and 4 at daycare. He liked Coach Sam a lot and enjoyed it. Just kicking the ball around, no games.

He started Dynamo soccer at 4 1/2. It was 50/50 whether he would participate or cooperate, and that was with DH as his coach. Soccer now that he and his teammates are 5 1/2 and 6 is like a whole different world. There are still some kids not ready, but most listen and follow direction SO much better than last year.

I wouldn't be in any hurry to start a team sport, but something like soccer shots would be great if he's interested.

bride2003

He does gymkhana by pine creek.  Its very low key - there are a bunch of teachers so they usually only have 5-6 kids to teach.   We did mommy & me with him and you could easily bring the little one with you in a sling and still walk around and assist Logan - parents just keep them listening and moving, the teachers still do all the spotting, lifting etc..  You might be surprised at how well he does on his own too.

bride2003

bride2003

bride2003 said:

http://gymkhanafun.com/wexford-location/

sarahandtim

Great! We were looking into gymkhana since it's close. Glad they have a good program. This may be a winter thing for him.

lishie

We did the point breeze gymkhana and the boys really liked it! I agree with Sheila that it's fairly easy to have a baby and a toddler in the class. I had to do that with Michael occasionally if Steve wasn't around to keep him during class time.

I think they require parents in the classes with the kids until they're three.

Both the boys do soccer shots and love it.

We also do swimming lessons on Monday nights at Sarah Heinz House.

I have no desire to commit to organized sports, particularly ones that eat up the weekends, but I like the classes.