| How do you know when it is the appropriate age to | | | | 3.) Talk with other parents. It is advisable for your |
| enroll your child in youth soccer? This question is one | | | | child to have at least one friend or acquaintance on |
| that parents ask all the time. If you enroll your child | | | | their team. Otherwise, the new experience, among |
| before they are ready, it could be an overwhelming | | | | children they do not know can be somewhat |
| experience. This may sound over dramatic, but | | | | stressful. See if there are other parents in your |
| consider it through the eyes of a child: Fifty or more | | | | network, who are thinking of enrolling their children |
| adults, including mom and dad, standing on the | | | | too. |
| sidelines screaming, whistles blowing, and children | | | | 4.) Be available to participate in some capacity. While |
| running in every direction on the field. What may | | | | coaching your child's team might be impractical due to |
| seem like fun to the parents could be interpreted as | | | | time constraints or your general lack of knowledge |
| mass hysteria and chaos through the eyes of a | | | | about soccer, be sure to participate in some way. |
| young child. | | | | Most soccer teams have a rotating system where |
| Before enrolling your child in a soccer league, it is | | | | each parent brings refreshments on one weekend |
| important to consider taking the following steps first. | | | | throughout the season. Be sure to get into this |
| 1.) Talk with your child about joining a soccer league. | | | | rotation if it is not automatic or expected. And, of |
| Give them an accurate description of the activities | | | | course, make sure that there is at least one adult |
| they will be participating in. In other words, avoid | | | | family member there each weekend to cheer your |
| saying things like, "Would you like to go play with | | | | child on. |
| Jimmy at the park this Saturday?" Let them know | | | | If you choose to enroll your child in soccer, |
| that they will be playing soccer with other children. | | | | remember that it is supposed to be fun! Avoid |
| 2.) Get a soccer ball for the backyard or park and | | | | making it a competition when they are first starting |
| see how your child responds to it. Bring them outside | | | | out. Most soccer leagues do not even keep score for |
| to kick the ball around with you and see if they are | | | | younger children, which is a good thing. The most |
| enthusiastic or indifferent. If your child spends the | | | | important thing is that the children are having fun, |
| time pulling grass out of the dirt instead of kicking | | | | meeting new friends, and getting some exercise. Of |
| the ball back to you and participating, chances are | | | | course, a hug and words of encouragement at the |
| you are going to see something similar occur on the | | | | end of each game goes a long way too! |
| soccer field. | | | | |