It’s a known fact that not all kids are meant to be sports superstars. However, being part of a team sport can help a child stay active, boost their self-esteem and teach them how to be a team player. While these are great benefits of sports, different children will have different interests in what they like to do to stay active.

• If your child does not have an interest in joining a team, there are other ways they can stay active and develop team skills. But first, find out why your child doesn’t want to play on a team. If there is an underlying issue, such as fear of not succeeding, talk to you child about it so they can overcome their fear and be involved with the sport of their choice.
• It’s not until around age six or seven that most children have developed the physical skills, the ability to understand rules, and the attention span to be part of an organized team sport. When a child first starts a sport, they need time to develop the specific skills necessary for that sport, whether it’s kicking a soccer ball, or hitting a baseball bat. Understand that it can be frustrating for kids to learn a new skill, so help them practice and always show a positive, encouraging attitude towards them.
• When team sports become more competitive, coaching can cause anxiety for a child. If you feel like your child’s coach is creating too much pressure on your child, do some research into various sports leagues. The YMCA offers noncompetitive leagues that may be a good option for a child who doesn’t want all that pressure and competitiveness.
• Many children can also be self-conscious about letting their teammates down. It’s important to emphasize to your child that the goal of playing on a team is to have fun. Let them know it’s okay to make mistakes and that everyone on a team has off-days.
• For kids who might have poor hand-eye coordination, try an activity like biking, running or swimming. Individual sports like these can be the perfect activity for some children. Your child may prefer individual sports to team sports; the goal is to find an activity your child enjoys and wants to stick with.
• Finally, for those kids who just can’t find a sport they like and want to commit to, there are plenty of ways for them to still stay active. They can have free play without being on a team or in a league. Whether it’s shooting hoops, playing kickball, riding bikes, playing tag or dancing, there are lots of activities children can do to stay active and not be committed to a sport.

Always remember to support your child in whatever activity they show interest in and be patient with them in their search!