How to help a sporty 4 year old.. which clubs??

[Catalwaysasleep]

Hi,

My nearly 4 year old boy seems generally athletic and energetic - hes also tall. We think he might get into basketball, swimming or some kind of gymnastics based dance. However, whilst we are healthy, we exercise we've never been sporty. In our local area here's what we have. Is it important he starts a class soon or waits for what we think best/he seems to like?

In our local area...

• martial arts starts from 5 (he wants to do this but we have to wait 4 months)
• swimming- he said he won't go in the pool without mummy
• basketball is from age 7 so way off
• football is possible. But we're not a football family- we don't have the kits, watch it on TV. Plus I worry about them heading the ball. But is football just how anyone sporty starts out?
• Drama, singing, dancing - as he's very talkative and confident?
• gymnastics- starts at 5 but it seems to be all girls and he's v tall so how long can he actually be good at it for?

Appreciate any advice on what to prioritise and whether to wait or try something now.

Swimming, even if it's weekly with you.

Junior Park Run is a great idea, but otherwise I'd also say football. He'll end up playing anyway, even if it's just with his friends in the playground.

Even my ridiculously un sporty teen boy plays football at breaks in his orchestra and also did at chess tournaments. It is great for social skills, teamwork and justletting off energy.

I had no idea they play football at chess tournaments. That's interesting.

My kids get football coaching at school so they do that, just not out of school.

Long term my "plans" are for them to have tried an individual tactical sport (racquet sports), a "fitness" racing sport (athletics, swimming) and a team sport, but happy for the team option to wait until they're older