Youth sports are wildly popular. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, approximately 61 percent of children between the ages of six and 17 participated in a total team sport at least once per week in 2023.
Participation in sports can pay a number of dividends for children. Youngsters who play sports are physically active, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted can lower risk for disease and decrease the likelihood children are overweight or obese. Sports participation also encourages social interaction, which can help children develop their interpersonal skills and provide opportunities to build lifelong friendships.
With so much to gain from participating in sports, it’s no wonder that parents often encourage their children to get involved in local athletic leagues. But it’s important that parents recognize how easy it can be to overdo it when it comes to youth sports. Some youth sports leagues now offer travel teams for children as young as six, and such leagues may require kids and their parents to commit several days per week to practice and games. That might be too much for some young athletes, and the following are some strategies parents can employ to ensure their kids are not overdoing it when it comes to sports participation.
