Competitive sports at what age?

[Ilikepianos]

Hi,

I'm just wondering at what age did your kids compete in sports. How was it ie emotionally at a young age. I'm just curious as DC isn't at that standard yet anyway but I'm interested in the pros and cons of competition from a young age as he is interested. I know a few kids travel quite a lot for competition at a young age whereas others don't do any or wait until their teens. Also what's it like in terms of your own efforts driving them there etc..

I think teens is too late to start as others would have lots of experience. As long as it is age appropriate competition there is no harm starting early. The dc has to want to do it though, don’t be that pushy parent with a reluctant dc.

DD started at friendly competitions in a niche sport at aged 8. Competition days are a great experience and she enjoys training for them and the pressure to perform on the day is valuable experience for her.

Dd 5 and DS 6. Neither has been pushed into it. Dd could have been top class- like was invited to train at national level age 9/10. But she didn’t want to, and no longer does this in her teens.

ds still competes at local sport level- and is level headed about it.

DD started competing at 7 and is now competing at 12 at national level. You can’t really start in the teens in her sport and reach the same levels. Most of them start training at 5 and then, if good enough, will start competing in the youngest age category which is 7-8.
DS2 has just started competing in one of his sports and he is 5. He loves it, however he is a very laid back child who doesn’t get upset if he doesn’t place and genuinely just enjoys the whole experience. If he wasn’t I don’t know if I would put him in yet.

Thanks. I'm also a bit confused about what sport has competitons at 5 or 6. Everything I've seen they start age 7+.