At what age is it appropriate and healthy to start putting a child in certain activities such as....?

Question

Such as gymnastics/tumbling, martial arts or dance? We have a little boy who will be 3 next May. He's above average developmentally and we want to keep him stimulated and happy. We're not in a rush, nor do we want to make it his life of course, but my husband and I have been thinking about different things he might like to do for fun. We don't want to do anything that my hurt his bones or put him at risk. I will ask his pediatrician, but I just wanted a quick answer or 2.
What do you think?

Also, we do want it to be fun for him. If he doesn't enjoy it we won't have him do it. That's part of the reason we want to wait until he's a bit older.

Answer 1

I think that you should wait until he is four...unless it is gymnastics or something where they will have classes for kids his age. My son started karate at 4 and loved it. Just make sure you choose the right place. A lot of places are expensive and too hard on the kids...with a child his age you need to focus on techniques but the main thing should be fun. You may also want to try soccer or tee ball. My sons do both of those...kids love soccer at this age. They can run off all that extra energy. lol Hope that helps!

Answer 2

In the classes that are geared toward young children, the activities are age - appropriate. For example, my three - year - old son loves hockey. Our local rink has a "learn to play hockey" program for children ages three and up. At this age, all they are doing is learning to skate around with the stick and hit the puck; they don't even really play games. The kids are covered in protective equipment, with only about three players per coach. It gets more competitive and challenging as the kids get older. That's what I've seen in most of the preschool programs, such as soccer and tee ball.
As long as the programs aren't overly competitive and your son is having fun, I see no harm in taking a class. Above all, make sure it is HIS choice. Oddly enough, my husband and I have no interest in hockey. Our son, however, is crazy about it. Kids are like that, I guess. Have fun!

Answer 3

My daughter's preschool has dance instructors come in once a week and teach dance classes. She was 3. She didn't care for it, although other girls in her class loved it.

As far as gymnastics, my daughter (now 4 1/2) goes to a gymnastics club here in our city. She is in what's called the Supertots program which ranges from 3-5. However, there is a toddler program for toddlers under 3. I have seen little ones under 2 in the Mom & Me class.

I believe it is healthy and appropriate to let your child select the activities he or she wants and let them do it, as soon as they show an interest. Our one requirement is that she has to do it for the full school year. Once the school year is over, if she doesn't like it, then she can do something else.

Answer 4

Wait until his personality- likes and dislikes develops more. Also let him choose his activities and don't overload them. Many of my friends started doing ballet, karate, and gymnastics when they were really young and they hate it now because their parents made them do in the end instead of them doing for fun. If wants to drop and activity to experiment with another, let him.

Answer 5

I would wait. I paid to put my daughter in soccer because she loved playing at home with the other kids. But once she went she didn't even like it. I was going to gymnastics but im going to wait.

Answer 6

2 of my daughters just turned 4 and have been in soccer since they just turned 3, and love it! they also have tumbling classes for children 18 months and older. you could try that. but dont get him into anything too competative, hes a little too young for that! hope this helps!

Answer 7

Wait until he's in Grade School...-so that his imagination has time to develop & he learns how to make his own Choices...