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Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 27, 2016 16:34:23 GMT
Kind of s/o off of the life skills your child should know by the time they are 18, do you think there are some sports skills they should know? I feel like there are some things I need to have DS learn - his father (DH) never taught him to do, and despite me asking him to, never seems to find the time. (Cue the Cats in the Cradle song here  ) The list of things I realize that he doesn't know how to, or know anything about are things like how to shoot a basketball the right way, throw a football or baseball or catch. How to play basketball, baseball or football (the rules). He doesn't have any interest in them (what I mean by this is he has no interest in sitting and watching those games on TV and he hasn't been interested or been shy about wanting to play on a rec team for any of them in the past) but I feel like he is left out because he doesn't know how. He does attempt shooting baskets or throwing the football with his sister in the yard, it's clear to me his skills need to taught by a guy, too as DD isn't exactly the best to show him those things, either. I told DD I feel like hiring someone to come like a tutor for sports (i.e. a coach I guess) to come show him the basics. He's 12 and getting into middle school I feel like somehow it would be helpful for him to know the basics. DD didn't think it was a concern, but when I heard that he was getting dissed by the other boys and summer camp this year (didn't want them on his team for various games) it became clear to me that he might need to get these basics covered so that wouldn't happen as much. |
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luckyexwife
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Post by luckyexwife on Jul 27, 2016 16:37:44 GMT
Swimming, at least the basic strokes.
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Post by brina on Jul 27, 2016 16:38:02 GMT
the one and only sport skill i believe all kids must have is swimming - its a safety thing.
As for the others, it is good to know how to throw a ball or shoot a basket, but not vital. My competitive swimmer probably doesn't know the rules of most sports. If they want to learn they will. None of my three were ever interested in football, until freshman year of high school and all the boys were playing fantasy football. Then all of a sudden my one son became interested in the sport.
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Jul 27, 2016 16:43:54 GMT
All the "ball" sports I learned in school, mostly Jr High. In high school we also learned badminton (favorite!), tennis, track and field, and others.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 27, 2016 16:52:17 GMT
Kind of s/o off of the life skills your child should know by the time they are 18, do you think there are some sports skills they should know? I feel like there are some things I need to have DS learn - his father (DH) never taught him to do, and despite me asking him to, never seems to find the time. (Cue the Cats in the Cradle song here ) The list of things I realize that he doesn't know how to, or know anything about are things like how to shoot a basketball the right way, throw a football or baseball or catch. How to play basketball, baseball or football (the rules). He doesn't have any interest in them (what I mean by this is he has no interest in sitting and watching those games on TV and he hasn't been interested or been shy about wanting to play on a rec team for any of them in the past) but I feel like he is left out because he doesn't know how. He does attempt shooting baskets or throwing the football with his sister in the yard, it's clear to me his skills need to taught by a guy, too as DD isn't exactly the best to show him those things, either. I told DD I feel like hiring someone to come like a tutor for sports (i.e. a coach I guess) to come show him the basics. He's 12 and getting into middle school I feel like somehow it would be helpful for him to know the basics. DD didn't think it was a concern, but when I heard that he was getting dissed by the other boys and summer camp this year (didn't want them on his team for various games) it became clear to me that he might need to get these basics covered so that wouldn't happen as much. I don't know if I agree about needing to be taught by a guy. My mom taught my ds how to play basketball and he had no problem telling people his grandma taught him. My only must have sport skill is swimming. But we did put all of our kids in sports when they were young just so they could see what activities they wanted to do. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 27, 2016 16:54:41 GMT
the one and only sport skill i believe all kids must have is swimming - its a safety thing. As for the others, it is good to know how to throw a ball or shoot a basket, but not vital. My competitive swimmer probably doesn't know the rules of most sports. If they want to learn they will. None of my three were ever interested in football, until freshman year of high school and all the boys were playing fantasy football. Then all of a sudden my one son became interested in the sport.  Other than knowing how to swim (the safety issue), all other sport skills are really optional. If someone is interested in a sport, they will find a way to learn it. Your son isn't interested in sports, so rather than worry that he's being left out, focus on and encourage the skills that he does possess and has interest in. Save |
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Post by secondlife on Jul 27, 2016 17:00:42 GMT
Swimming definitely.
Riding a bike - I know some kids who never learned and it's a disadvantage.
I find bowling to be a good social skill - I've gone on a lot of business bowling outings over the years.
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Shel
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Jul 16, 2014 0:32:12 GMT
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Post by Shel on Jul 27, 2016 17:03:34 GMT
I agree it doesn't have to be taught by a guy. I know more about sports (playing and rules, etc) than my DH. I agree that swimming is an important life skill.
Socially I think it would be good to know the basics of how to play volleyball, basketball, kickball, soccer, softball, and the like only because in group settings or on vacations I know my kids have all been involved in things like this. Even if you're not very good it's fun to be involved and not have to sit out.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 3:10:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 17:06:06 GMT
All kids should know how to swim. Way too many drownings happen because an older teenager or even adult didn't know how to swim.
I also believe kids should at least know how to throw a ball, swing a bat/racket/stick, throw a frisbee, and skate. Even if a person has no interest in sports, at some point in their lives, they will be in a social situation where a game of some sort is happening. My 15 year old throws a frisbee like a toddler. It would be very hard for him to participate in that. Same with skating. Even if you never play hockey, knowing how to skate increases your social opportunities.
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Post by keesha on Jul 27, 2016 17:19:31 GMT
Anything that involves eye/hand coordination is going to help you in all sports as well as life. I know a college coach that insisted his kids get martial arts experience before they did the main organized sports. There is too much specialization pushed at an early age. I think your idea to bring someone in to be a sports "tutor" is fantastic! Additional sports to expose them to that could be lifelong - tennis, golf,running, etc. Cross Country is generally a sport with a supportive environment for all skill levels and very social. My son, though athletic, didn't care about a social life until he did XC in high school (and it's coed  He reluctantly went out his freshman year (at my insistence) and loved it competing all 4 years. |
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Post by beanbuddymom on Jul 27, 2016 17:20:04 GMT
Well I don't know if my DD is showing him the proper way I guess is why I was saying maybe another boy because he doesn't seem to throw or shoot the way I see other boys throw, if that makes any sense. That's probably what I am getting at - it's as you said more important that's it's the proper way. DD is just doing whatever I guess and he's mimicking her style which isn't really the same as other boys his age. It's obvious to me so it has to be obvious to other boys.
Edited to add: I definitely agree with the swimming! I had both my kids in swimming lessons when they were younger. I've often thought of having more lessons actually recently as a brush up as they're older especiallly when I hear of teens drowning in lakes etc which they both are often in now with friends and that terrifies me. So thanks I will add that to my list of things too, I agree!
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Post by malibou on Jul 27, 2016 17:24:37 GMT
At his age, I'm guessing he is headed to middle school. My son is not a sports minded kid. In middle school they "studied" baseball, football, soccer and basketball. They learned the rules learned about each position etc. Maybe his gym classes will be like that too.
J
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Post by myshelly on Jul 27, 2016 17:39:36 GMT
I think swimming is a basic life skill.
Other than that, meh, I don't really care.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 27, 2016 17:40:34 GMT
I think swimming is a basic life skill.
Other than that, meh, I don't really care.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 27, 2016 17:41:12 GMT
Swimming definitely. Riding a bike - I know some kids who never learned and it's a disadvantage. I find bowling to be a good social skill - I've gone on a lot of business bowling outings over the years. I don't know how to ride a bike. I've never felt disadvantaged. |
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SweetieBsMom
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jul 27, 2016 17:46:12 GMT
I think swimming is a basic life skill. Other than that, meh, I don't really care. |
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psiluvu
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Post by psiluvu on Jul 27, 2016 17:49:19 GMT
OP I like the idea of a sport tutor. DD actually is working at a summer day camp teaching sports skills to 6 to 10 yr olds. Maybe there is something like that in your area.
I don't agree with riding a bike as an advantage. DS (13) plays competitive hockey, provincial level football and little league baseball and absolutely refuses to learn to ride a bike. His friends are cool with that and it doesn't seem t bother him
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Post by secondlife on Jul 27, 2016 18:00:52 GMT
Swimming definitely. Riding a bike - I know some kids who never learned and it's a disadvantage. I find bowling to be a good social skill - I've gone on a lot of business bowling outings over the years. I don't know how to ride a bike. I've never felt disadvantaged. In our neighborhood it's a primary mode of transportation for a big group of kids. They ride their bikes on the bike path around the neighborhood, to the tennis court and the pool, the basketball court, just all over. Kids who want to hang out with that group and can't ride a bike can't keep up because scooters and walking are too slow. I see kids get left behind on the regular because they can't ride a bike and it's kind of sad to see. Different people, different needs. |
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Post by littlemama on Jul 27, 2016 18:05:21 GMT
I think all kids should know the basics of sports - how to play football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, Frisbee (at least how to throw one). These are all very common things that kids and young adults do when they get together, and I wouldn't want my child to be the one who can't do any of it because that is the kid who gets left behind in that group.
Most kids know how to ride a bike, but a lot of them don't do it often because they just don't have the freedom to do so that we had when we were kids.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 27, 2016 18:05:28 GMT
As the mother of two boys, and one that completely has zero skill in any kind of sport, I was stumped by the sports thing too.
But when I started asking around, I learned that some kids just aren't sporty kids, and some are. The sporty kids tend to gravitate towards environments that bring them into contact with people who teach them how to play. Even if it is just friends toss a football around the yard.
My ex isn't particularly a sporty guy either, but both the kids are. For the most part, they got that because they asked to play soccer, or go to a camp for xxx sport. One prefers team sports, one prefers sports that are more singular (like running or tennis.) Neither of them could throw a football if their life depended on it.
The both swim though (we live in Florida.)
The biggest thing I learned is to not sweat it, if they care about learning, they will let you know. If they don't play a sport, they will still be able to have a very active social life and will find their spot in the world. They will not be social outcasts.
(Although, I do think that golf is a good thing to know at some point. Mostly because a lot of business is conducted and networking is on the golf course...at least around here. Knowing how to play isn't a bad investment in time.)
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smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jul 27, 2016 18:21:32 GMT
I don't really push sports. I think it's important to learn how to swim but not for competitive reasons. Same with riding a bike.
My son (going into high school) really has no interest in team sports. I have told him that anything he shows an interest in, I will pay whatever it costs, but he just isn't in to it. So far it hasn't been a big deal. He likes mountain biking with me and skateboarding, so as long as he's doing something active then Im cool. My only goal is that he gets in the habit of maintaining a healthy lifestyle early.
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Post by piebaker on Jul 27, 2016 19:05:11 GMT
Swimming is essential and riding a bike because it teaches a sense of balance. I would also say roller blading, ice skating, and bowling are sports that are helpful with birthday parties or school sponsored events.
I taught my daughter to throw a football in a perfect spiral, so I don't feel only men can teach sports. My husband and I mixed 750 pounds of concrete to put a basketball hoop in the backyard for our girls. I definitely recommend the portable hoops they sell now!!! We took them bowling as a family and invited some of their friends over the years. They had swimming lessons at the Y, tennis lessons at a local gym, and horseback riding lessons through the Girl Scouts. They also played soccer through the town teams and basketball through CYO.
If your child chooses a sport, try to be supportive, learn the rules and attend some of the games/practices/recitals. It means the world to them to have family in the stands.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 27, 2016 19:25:28 GMT
I like to play sports, but never got into the competitive part. I think it's just a fun thing to do. A way to be active. Work on fine and gross motor skills. Make friends. I was sad when my son stopped doing rec sports.
I think swimming and riding a bike are 2 good things to know and I hope to get there someday with my kid with special needs. I don't know if I agree about roller skating/blading. I never got the knack of that. It wasn't a hugely popular thing either. It can be a fun thing, but I don't think necessary.
Learning to play an instrument would help with motor skills if the kid isn't athletically inclined.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Jul 27, 2016 19:29:24 GMT
Swimming definitely. Riding a bike - I know some kids who never learned and it's a disadvantage. I find bowling to be a good social skill - I've gone on a lot of business bowling outings over the years. My daughter doesn't know how and she is 13 I wish I had pushed her to learn. It's much harder to teach her now, and I don't want to invest in bike for her if she's not going to learn. (Her Dad can't ride either or swim or throw a ball, so not just a boy thing) |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 27, 2016 19:31:12 GMT
Swimming, for safety.
My sons don't skate (ice or roller blade) as well as I intended, but have good skateboard skills. Not sure how that happened.
Along with biking and skiing those seem like ones more easily learned as children.
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Post by pierkiss on Jul 27, 2016 19:40:04 GMT
The only sport skill I'm requiring of my kids is to learn to swim. They don't have to be on a competitive swim team. They don't even have to like it. But we live near a giant lake, and we have a pool in the backyard. Learning to swim is not an option in this house.  I would like for them to have the gross and fine motor skills of throwing, catching, and kicking a ball down pat. But I do not think they NEED to know the rules of any sport they are uninterested in. Why waste time trying to teach the rules of a game they find boring? |
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kate
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Post by kate on Jul 27, 2016 19:49:26 GMT
i would hope he'd learn some basics about different games (sports) in PE class at school.
To me, overall fitness is the most important thing. If he can run without sucking wind, and he has a modicum of hand-eye coordination, he can pick up the skills necessary to participate on a social (not necessarily competitive) level in many different sports. OTOH, if he can't run comfortably from one end of a court/field to the other, it's going to be hard to play almost any sport passably well.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 27, 2016 19:58:25 GMT
Swimming, for safety. My sons don't skate (ice or roller blade) as well as I intended, but have good skateboard skills. Not sure how that happened. Along with biking and skiing those seem like ones more easily learned as children. I had to laugh...I asked my son if he wanted to take his bike when he went off to college and he told me that he is planning on taking his skateboard instead. He says it will be easier to keep track of-but honestly, I didn't think he used his skateboard all that much these days...but there it is.  |
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Post by Karene on Jul 27, 2016 20:11:36 GMT
I felt swimming was an important life and safety skill, especially since my in-laws had a cottage. Also, we eventually got a boat. They took swimming lessons.
I also thought knowing how to ride a bike was important because once you know, you can pick it up again later. Neither of my boys were keen about it and it took both of them quite a while to master two wheels. Neither of them would bike for pleasure until my older son turned 16. Then all of a sudden he was right into bikes. In university, he spend most of his free time buying bikes at garage sales and fixing them up. Even now at 29, he bikes everywhere and has winterized his bikes. He has worked as a mechanic in a few high end bike shops and loved it. My younger son hasn't ridden his bike in years, but he would know how if he had to.
I also taught them how to skate, since we live in Canada. Neither of them were all that interested and haven't done it in years. Neither were interested in ice hockey although they played floor hockey a few years.
We did put them in baseball which they loved and played from age 5 to 20. On their own the picked up archery, and one is very into ju jitsu and other into medieval sword fighting!
Most of the other sports they have done have been through school gym class.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jul 27, 2016 20:11:44 GMT
Swimming, for safety. My sons don't skate (ice or roller blade) as well as I intended, but have good skateboard skills. Not sure how that happened. Along with biking and skiing those seem like ones more easily learned as children. I had to laugh...I asked my son if he wanted to take his bike when he went off to college and he told me that he is planning on taking his skateboard instead. He says it will be easier to keep track of-but honestly, I didn't think he used his skateboard all that much these days...but there it is. It will be easier to store! |
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Other than knowing how to swim (the safety issue), all other sport skills are really optional. If someone is interested in a sport, they will find a way to learn it. Your son isn't interested in sports, so rather than worry that he's being left out, focus on and encourage the skills that he does possess and has interest in. 
