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Original poster

How important is sport (outside of school) for a 6-7 year old?

52 replies

SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 08:57

I came to the conclusion yesterday that sport, at least the forms we've tried, isn't dd's thing. I wrote a couple of letters yesterday cancelling the contracts for KungFu and ballet and I told her she needn't go riding anymore since she doesn't like it. She isn't any good at any of those things TBH, she really struggles to coordinate and I think she's getting frustrated at not being able to do it. She went to swimming lessons for 2.5 years which did pay off eventually but it took her forever to learn and she hated it, however I noticed on holiday that she's very confident now (she can't do crawl, backstroke or anything though, just basic breast-stroke).

So do I just forget about sport for now or is it important that she's doing some sport outside of the bit of running about the hall they do at school (about half an hour 3x week as far as I can work out)?

Looking back I was riding at that age but that was it and it wasn't particularly sportly, just sitting on a horse that plodded calmly about.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 27/04/2007 09:00

I don't think it is that important. Exercise is important - running about, jumping, climbing, walking, riding a bike, swimming for fun, etc. But organised sport isn't to me, not unless it si something your child actually wants to do.

Ladymuck · 27/04/2007 09:01

I think that you need to find out what is dd's thing (which is also active!).

FWIW ds1 point blank refuses any sort of class or club after school, but is very happy to either go to the park for a kick-around, or go swimming with me and ds2. Personally I'd prefer it if he would just have a swimming class, but at 6 he is old enough to know what he wants.

Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 09:04

That's interesting. Maybe it's the structured side to it and having to learn things that she doesn't like? Wish I knew what she might like! She tries something once or twice and says she likes it and wants to continue but goes off it fast after I've committed myself to a course.

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filthymindedvixen · 27/04/2007 09:10

I think excercise is as important as sport. half hour a day sustained physical activity is recommended IIRC for children. This can be dancing round the house, or gymnastics, or walking briskly or riding a bike, or bouncing on a trampoline. Not all kids are sporty and pushing them into activities they hate is counter-productive. Remember, they are running around in the playground too. Sport for some people is as much about competition as the actual physical activity, so if that's important to you, give her opportunities for healthy competition too, playing games together, entering arts/crafts competitions etc, learning about winning and losing and turn taking and working as part of a team. What about Brownies or something? Lots of wholesome running around in a group there?

Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 09:13

vixen the competitive side of it isn't important to me TBH but I did want her to have a aport as hobby (along with any other hobbies) so she's with other people and keeping fit IYSWIM

TBH I'm a bit lazy and don't fancy having to go swimming myself etc. It's so much easier to take her to a course and then chat with other mums or read a book till it's finished!

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filthymindedvixen · 27/04/2007 09:24

well, there are millions of options out there that are not so 'sporty' . In my area, there is trampolining, drama and dance classes, and an after school actiity called Enjoy-a-ball (where they do what it says on the tin with lots of different sports rolled into each session - good for commitment-phobes Might there be something similar near you?
and I know what you mean - my ds's half hour swim lessonis half and hour with a book and my mp3 after a hard day at work

Ladymuck · 27/04/2007 09:49

I have to say that I go swimming with gritted teeth. But I do thing that if you want your dd to enjoy sport/exercise, then you do have to demonstrate that it is something that you enjoy, rather than just treating it as some time off for you!

Woudl agree that you should think widely about what might be available, and in particular see if there is anything that you as a family might enjoy (eg a bike ride together at the weekend).

Enid · 27/04/2007 09:51

if she is struggling with coordinatino then she probably wont enjoy organised sport

what about brownies isntead?

sunnysideup · 27/04/2007 09:53

sss, part of her reluctance COULD stem from your reluctance, if you know what I mean? Role modelling is a powerful thing and for bloody knackered parents doing a sport weekly is often not on the agenda; so kids don't see us doing it therefore it's not part of their lives, if you know what I mean.

I think kids of six usually find things more fun and joyful if their parents are doing it alongside them or with them.

Is there some exercise you'd both enjoy? Cycling perhaps? I started a thread on here a while back as ds is also v reluctant to be 'sent' to sports clubs, but he would do anything we suggested as long as me and his dad did it too. I think that's fair enough at this age.

Also agree though that formal stuff doesn't even matter, so long as they are having time out to play in the park, garden or wherever.

admylin · 27/04/2007 09:58

SSS, here in the city I have to force mine to go to sport club twice a week - they do run around and play football in the garden but they'll often build a den and then just be sitting in it most of the afternoon so that's not sport. And it isn't such amassive garden for them to run around in.

When we're back home in the lake district it's a different picture. we can go for long walks or climb a fell and they can run in the park (mostly dog-poo free, unlike here) and do races together or with friends. City life is abit harder in that aspect as my 2 dc absoloutly refuse to go for walks and I don't blame them - walking in the city is no fun for them. Have you got bikes?

Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 10:01

Interesting thanks everyone. She knows I enjoy my tennis and yoga and so on. I'm not a couch potato but I don't fancy really doing sport with her IYSWIM!

I think she is a bit awkward, I never had the kind of problems she has. If I see someone do something, I can understand and copy that fairly easily. My only experience of something similar to the problems she has was when I tried Tai Chi and couldn't make head or tail of what was going on and what I was supposed to be doing! Anyway I handed in the letters cancelling everything and I feel pretty good with that. She seems happy not to have to go anymore.

Yes, I can keep looking around and see what else is available. There are heaps of sports' clubs and things. But I think for the moment, I'll give her a break from it. My tennis teacher is holding a kid's camp in summer and offered to teach her but she said : oh no, mummy, do I have to do it? So I said, no of course not.

Don't know if Brownies is available here (Berlin, Germany), I can investigate... I know an American group did or does it but quite inconvenient for me to get too. It's a good idea though, for social interaction etc.

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contentiouscat · 27/04/2007 10:02

My children arent sporty I do worry that it means they wont be part of the gang but really wouldnt force it.

Swimming was non negotiable - it can save their lives...I dont think anyone has ever died because they cant kick a ball.

Most kids enjoy trampolining though, do you have a club for that near you?

Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 10:04

Hi Admylin, yes we do have bikes but I tend to riding mine because I don't want to get nasty comments (riding on the pavement) etc. She sometimes rides hers and I walk behind.

I agree the problem is living in town like we do, she doesn't have much of a chance to just run about, climb etc. We have a 20 minute walk to and from school but apart from that her life is quite sedentary. Are yours still at Aikido then?

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Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 10:04

tend to AVOID - sorry!

Trampolining is an idea. Bound to be available here somewhere, most things are I think. I'll investigate that one.

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admylin · 27/04/2007 10:09

Mine still go to aikido but as you say, it's hard with the bikes. We've found a route that is quite safe which ends in a park, otherwise we can't get anywhere really.
Another good sport is rollerblading. Mine love theirs but again you have to get to a place where they can do it. It might be nice to have a few weeks off all the clubs and see what your dd asks to do.

contentiouscat · 27/04/2007 10:09

I think the idea of riding a bike along quiet, bird song filled lanes is lovely but the reality of riding alonG potholed roads inhabited by lunatic drivers is far too stressful LOL

Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 10:12

Well we were at KungFu last night and she said she absolutely couldn't do whatever sequence they were learning and I saw through the glass doors toward the end that she was having problems with it. Her usual cronies, two 7 year old girls weren't there and she was the only girl, a lot of the boys were a lot older. She said they'd all laughed at her because she couldn't do it. I didn't notice a malicious atmosphere or anything but I thought, really what is the point in it?

We have the day off school today (Brückentag) and Monday the Catholic schools are closed, Tuesday is a public holiday, so we're just bumming about enjoying the glorious weather!

OP posts:
Original poster
SSShakeTheChi · 27/04/2007 10:14

some good tips on here, thanks. Rollerblading I hadn't thought of but where would you do it? All the pavements here have cobble stones and there is so much traffic. Where do you go rollerblading Lin?

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wychbold · 27/04/2007 10:16

The co-ordination thing is interesting. My DS is mildly dyspraxic so we tried all sorts to try to improve his dexterity and balance (Gymbobs etc). He is still rubbish at fine-motor skills (his handwriting is appalling) but he loves gross-motor sports like Rugby and football. It's just a matter of finding what they are good at.

Excercise is important but it does not have to be in a sporting context. However, if you can find a sport that they like then they will learn all sorts of other characteristics eg team-working, a sense of pride when they succeed but also coping with failure, etc.
Many schools do not run many team sports (apart from the ubiquitous football for boys) so can you look at local Clubs for cricket, hockey, netball or even Rugby?

sauce · 27/04/2007 10:16

how about a trampoline? fun & good exercise. I think it depends on how sedentary your dd is, does she have a tendancy to put on weight, etc. If so, some kind of daily activity is really important but it has to be something she enjoys.

I was a chubby child who liked nothing better than to curl up with a good book. But I also loved to swim, ride my bike and play outdoors with my friends. Ballet was a nightmare because of the leotard & all those mirrors!

wychbold · 27/04/2007 10:18

I'd forgotten that you are in Germany. Perhaps you should scatch the cricket idea then.

admylin · 27/04/2007 10:19

They rollerblade at the school playground as it's open to the public after school hours and is poo free. There is anotherpark with a skateboard/blade area but it's often being used by older kids. Worst part is them having to carry the boots to wherever we want to go as they are quite heavy and I refuse to be the donkey.

Enid · 27/04/2007 10:20

tennis?

this is dd2s 'thing' (rubbish at all other sports seemingly)

christywhisty · 27/04/2007 10:20

What about cubs, my daughter is the only girl in her pack (she is a brownie as well) but the beavers (if she is 6) is more likely to do sporty things than brownies.
She is playing football for the first time in district competition on Sunday.

Swimming in my family is compulsory but son isn't really sporty but does trampolining now and loves it.
We also have a mariners base near us, where from 9 year old they can do kayaking, climibing, caving. My children go there in the holidays.

admylin · 27/04/2007 10:20

wychbold, from what age would cricket be an option? I want ds to try it when we're in teh UK next time. He's nearly 9 though and as a total beginner he'd be with really little ones maybe?

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