The Best Sport for 3-Year-Olds
- March 25, 2024
Your child has finally reached an age where you feel they are ready to play a sport. Youth sports help burn off energy, teach young kids the idea of teamwork, and start basic skill building. But what is the best sport to put your 3-year-old in?
If you are looking to get your child involved in their first sport, soccer is a great option! Parents enjoy watching their little ones suit up and run around somewhere other than their kitchen for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the 3-year-olds like making friends, being active, and having fun!
Recreational soccer leagues for 3-year-olds are focused on teaching basic drills in a fun format that caters to their shorter attention spans. The fast-paced nature of the game is ideal for young children. The goal is to help your child develop a love of the game so they will continue to play and stay active for years to come.
For the youngest athletes, the best approach is to build confidence! You may notice rules are loosely enforced at this young age. Rather, the focus is on teachable moments so children aren’t afraid of making a mistake. Growing confidence through teamwork and good sportsmanship helps 3-year-olds start to form a lifetime love of sports.
What skills can I expect my 3-year-old to learn when beginning to play soccer?
At this age the best approach is to focus on fundamentals, awareness of the ball, and teamwork.
Soccer is an ideal beginning sport for 3-year-olds because it also helps with development of gross motor skills and balance. Children work on coordination during practice and games. Learning to kick the ball while moving down the field also exercises spatial awareness. Not to mention, soccer is one of the best ways to build cardiovascular strength!
Recreational youth sports also help with social development. Players begin to learn how to communicate with their teammates during game play. They start to understand that every member of a team is important! Team sports also encourage children to socialize and make new friends.
Now that your 3-year-old is old enough to play recreational sports, consider putting them in a youth soccer league. It will provide countless benefits to their physical and emotional health and, most importantly, they will have fun!
Register for Youth Soccer
Introduce your toddlers to sports with i9 Sports.®
Our soccer programs teach the fundamentals through fun, age-appropriate instruction. As players progress, they learn increasingly complex skills that build confidence. We emphasize good sportsmanship in our one-day-a-week leagues that work for your busy family. In short, our youth soccer program is the perfect option for your preschoolers. To learn more, feel free to browse our programs or find an i9 Sports® office near you.
