Your say: Should toddlers play sports?

By Amanda Pitcher

Friday, July 13, 2012

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Toddlers Weight Health and Fitness Obesity

There's no denying it's important to teach children about health and fitness from an early age, especially in light of the growing levels of childhood obesity in the Western world. But how young is too young?

Increasing numbers of sports and fitness programs are popping up for children as young as two years of age which promote the development of motor skills and coordination, as well as building self-confidence.

These programs are lead by early childhood teachers and children need to be accompanied by a parent, which organisers say also boosts the parent-child relationship.

Parents, have your say, should two-year-olds be enrolled in sports or fitness programs? Is your toddler involved in this sort of program and what benefits have you seen?

User comments

Since my daughter was one- I have let her choose an activity to participate in. We have done a term of Gymnastics, soccer, swimming, even a term of music and dance. She has loved them all!! She isn't too young to have fun and exercise!

Ok - I'm gonna be THAT person who says it.... OMG how cute would it be if toddlers played sports - like how funny would it be watching the soccer ball bounce by and then a whole group of toddlers chasing after it. I would only agree to my 2yo playing sport if was nothing but fun and exercise - nothing else. No competition, no parents on the side-lines screaming - nothing but pure fun!!

Not everything on TV are negative, take for instance...THE BIGGEST LOSER..there's plenty of PPL who took it seriously and start doing something for their own lives. CSI (series) there's so many middle aged parents whose going back to study LOL However, that's not the point, You never be too young nor TOO old to do anything as long as you don't get hurt or struggle.

Everyday he walks and we play and draws, writes and we talk and he danced all the time. He walks on my threadmill. LOL He loves singing too. This question shouldn't be brought up. Kids,adults needs sports and exercise all the time, otherwise OBESITY will dominate our society. Look around you ppl are not slim,gone are the days.

Depends on the sport, but something like swimming is certainly sensible. It's always been a popular sport in this country for all ages, and is a great way for children to socialise, play and learn about competition. Keeping the atmosphere enjoyable is the key.

i think as long as the young child enjoys it then yes if not move on and find something else. sport is good but not when not enjoyed

Never too young as long as everyone is having fun. Competitiveness and winning at all costs is when it becomes ridiculous.

As long as it's not too intense, or enforced, toddlers should be able to *safely* play the sport of their choice if they want to. However, i completely disapprove of little girls on the catwalk like Toddlers in Tiaras and such, it sends the completely wrong message and gives children the idea that if they change themselves, they will 'win'. I'm 14, and this is my view.

i have a toddler, and she has just turned 3, from the age of 2 i have been looking for things just like this to get her involved in, but found that the age limit was 3yrs old. the only place i could take her to was gymnastics i was dissapointed to find there were no "sports" activities for her because i think it would have been great to have my daughter involved in sport, and socialising with other children. i wish there was more opportunities in my area for parents to take their toddlers. teaching children young about health and fitness i think is very important.

Yes, so long as the child benefits, has fun and learns coordination, socialisation, to be active and enjoy it, and see their parents be involved too. No, not if parents are goingto push their babies too hard, to fast or too long. Also, what ever happened to Mummy and Daddy playing chasing games, have gentle wrestles, going walking, riding, and playing games with baby? Take away the electric operated, and battery operated toys and a child will explore, and develop natural motor skills and learn by reality.