Should children and youth play one sport or focus on one art all year?

Question

Many young children who excel in a sport or art spend all of their free time focusing on that aptitude...is this healthy?
If it is healthy, at what age?

I'm talking about a child who is good at soccer or violin (for example) and all they ever...do is that one discipline...they don't ever have time to try new things...how young a 'prodigy' is all right?

Answer 1

That's a great point. I think it's important to only give them one at a time, but the length of time can be quite short. How many prodigies in the world are there, really? So what if the kid is great at baseball? Let him try basketball, or yoga, or painting, or chess. I think it's our job to encourage diversity in our children's skills and interests. I don't think having a child do only one activity/sport for several years is healthy, nor do I believe it creates a happy child.

Answer 2

lots of kids have one thing that they spend the majority of their time on but they can still experience other things. that doesn't mean they need to try a new sport or art. just by going to museums or playing catch in the yard or fishing, they are experiencing. if what they spend their time on isn't pushed on them or drilled into their heads 24/7 i think it's fine.i think, when the parents get to involved and that's THE ONLY thing the kid does then it becomes a problem.

Answer 3

NO! i think that children focusing on either of the activities are great! but i also think that incorporating both artistic activities and sports activities is important as long as they can be balanced so they can have a break in between. both types of aptitudes are important because with art (whether it is musical, painting, sculpting, etc) they are able to express themselves and with sports they are learning teamwork and disipline. both activities will introduce them to new people their age who are interested in the same things they are creating strong friendships and bonds. though remember not to force them into these activities, let them choose which they would like to be doing. introducing them into these activities between 4 and 7 years will help them get into it. but dont pack their schedule because they still need time aside from their hobbies for homework, relaxation, and playing times. having these extra activities will help them become less shy and they will mostl likely do better in school (as long as they have time to do homework of course!).

Answer 4

I think it's healthy to do just one at a time. After a while, they could be introduced to something new. But, they don't have to be exposed to multiple things all the time. That doesn't allow them the time to *excel* in any of them.

Answer 5

I always think you should let your child chose if they want to do sports or not. I don't believe in pushing your child and make them do something. And I think it's healthy because wouldn't you rather your child playing baseball or dancing than out getting drunk or doing drugs? I would rather mine spending on their free time on stuff they love doing such as sports than out doing drugs.. Think about it.. So, yes its healthy.

Answer 6

well i've been playing soccer since i was about 6
i think it was a good thing for me because to be in it i keep my grades up and stay out of trouble and it keeps me in shape.
art is more of a hobby i think...

Answer 7

Why wouldn't it be but i prefer doing art and sports

Answer 8

i think that kids should explore everthing because they need to have fun it is not good for kids when u have them do one thing wait till they are at least ten to start working things out