Sports: Start early, leave later

Start early, leave later
The hockey skates are gathering dust in the basement. The violin sits
unplayed. The soccer ball, once a source of athletic pride, has been shelved
in favor of the football.
http://www.washtimes.com/familytimes...2318-5070r.htm

Fit activity to child's interests
Take a good look at your child's personality and interests before committing
to a season of intense practices or a high-pressure coach. A good match may
mean a greater chance of a child sticking with an activity for a season — or
a lifetime.
http://www.washtimes.com/familytimes...2323-6031r.htm

MORE INFO:
BOOKS —
M "101 WAYS TO BE A TERRIFIC SPORTS PARENT: MAKING ATHLETICS A POSITIVE
EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD," BY JOEL FISH WITH SUSAN MAGEE, SIMON & SCHUSTER,
2003. SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST JOEL FISH HAS TIPS FOR PARENTS DEALING WITH A
CHILD WHO CHOOSES NOT TO CONTINUE IN A SPORT.

"SIGN ME UP! THE PARENTS' COMPLETE GUIDE TO SPORTS, ACTIVITIES, MUSIC
LESSONS, DANCE CLASSES, AND OTHER EXTRACURRICULARS," BY STACY DEBROFF, THE
FREE PRESS, 2003. THIS BOOK DISCUSSES DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, WHO MIGHT LIKE
THEM, HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD WANTS TO QUIT.

"RAISING WINNERS: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO HELPING KIDS SUCCEED ON AND OFF
THE PLAYING FIELD," BY SHARI YOUNG KUCHENBECKER, RANDOM HOUSE, 2000. THIS
BOOK OUTLINES HOW SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN BE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
IF PARENTS AND CHILDREN KEEP EVERYTHING IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE.

ASSOCIATIONS —
M NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH SPORTS, 2050 VISTA PARKWAY, WEST PALM
BEACH, FL 33411. PHONE: 800/729-2057. WEB SITE: WWW.NAYS.ORG. THIS NONPROFIT
GROUP IS AIMED AT MAKING PLAYING AND COACHING YOUTH SPORTS A POSITIVE
EXPERIENCE. THE GROUP OFFERS RESEARCH, WORKSHOPS AND TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE AN
OPTIMAL EXPERIENCE.

ONLINE —
M MOMSTEAM, (WWW.MOMSTEAM.COM) A WEB SITE STARTED BY A MOTHER OF
TRIPLETS, COVERS ALL ASPECTS OF YOUTH SPORTS, FROM NUTRITION TO CAR-POOL
LOGISTICS TO HANDLING QUITTING AND MOTIVATING YOUNG ATHLETES. THERE ARE
ARTICLES BY EXPERTS AS WELL AS FORUMS FOR SPORTS PARENTS.

THE SITE OF THE POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE (WWW.POSITIVECOACH.ORG), A
STANFORD UNIVERSITY-BASED GROUP THAT ENCOURAGES FAIR COACHING AND POSITIVE
PARENTING, HAS INFORMATION ON MAKING YOUTH SPORTS WORK. THE GROUP SAYS POOR
COACHING IS A TOP REASON CHILDREN ABANDON A SPORT.