When is too early to start your child in sports?

'By Jon Buzby

I was at a children's birthday party last weekend and the topic of how young is too young to start playing sports came up.

I just sat back and listened to the various opinions. One grandmother offered to pay for her granddaughter to play youth sports. The mother of that daughter, a former Division-I field hockey player, is dead set against her daughter playing any organized sport at the age of three.

One mom started her son in soccer at four while another has decided six will be a good age.

Other mothers and fathers chimed in, and just when I thought I had lost the chance to give my opinion, my wife spoke up: 'Jon, you write about youth sports. What do you think?'

I actually think it depends on a number of things when determining what age a child should start playing sports. First and foremost is the interest of the child. If he or she has no interest whatsoever, it's probably too early to start.

The second is the physical and emotional maturity of the child. If the child is scared to death of any physical contact, he or she won't be interested in being part of a soccer scrum. If his or her feelings get hurt every time someone takes a toy from him, imagine his or her reaction the first time a child 'steals' the ball.

But I think one factor often overlooked by parents when trying to make this decision is how the family will be affected by a child playing an organized sport at such a young age.

If bedtime is 7 p.m. ' to allow for not only a good night sleep but also 'down time' for mom and dad ' and practice is twice a week until 7 p.m., that means the family routine is going to be upset two of four school/work nights.

If there is more than one child at home, what happens to the non-practicing siblings the night of practice? Will a younger sibling be dragged out of the house when he or she would normally be in bed? Will an older sibling's grades suffer because he or she is sitting in a car at a practice instead of at the kitchen table getting assignments done?

All of these things must be taken into consideration.

I've heard good and bad stories of young kids playing sports, so there is no one sure-fire answer. But one piece of advice I always give is that if both parents aren't convinced it's time, it's probably not.

Jon Buzby is a syndicated columnist. .  E-mail your comments to jonbuzby@hotmail.com