My ds is five. He likes hockey a lot. He plays floor hockey outside with me and dh. He skates very well (in the winter) and handles a stick and puck well on ice also. His dad and I both have played a great deal of hockey and each of us had a part of our post-secondary education paid for through hockey scholarships.
We've done mini-soccer the past two summers.
I'm pretty sure there is a 5/6 year old hockey league we could join. I would coach, ds would play.
At the end of last winter ds told us that he didn't want to join a team yet. I was surprised but didn't push it. I just said "okay".
When he brought it up again he explained that he wanted to play hockey, just not in front of a crowd of people yelling at the kids.
He has seen a few games at the local rink (kid's games) and I guess there have been some parents yelling at the ref, players, what have you. He's also certainly heard me or dh talking about this phenomena in kids' hockey. DH tried to tell him that when you're playing you don't notice the yelling, but that didn't help.
He's back to saying that he would like to be on a team, and I'm just not sure if we should go ahead with it.
1) he probably wouldn't have revisited it again if he didn't think it was what dh and I wanted
2) I was listening to this great interview on the radio today about the importance of letting kids' develop at an age appropriate level and not push early achievement before they are ready. the show was about reading and literacy but it seems like there might be a paralel here.
3) ds is a very strong skater and a good little hockey player. He could be excellent, I think. He is a very very good soccer player.
4) it is more important to me that my kid be happy than that my kid excel in sports. It's just complicated because excelling in and enjoying sports is such a source of happiness and personal fulfillment for me and for dh also. And ds is clearly capable.
So, do I pursue a 5/6 year old team this winter?
I asked him if he wanted to go to a five half day hockey camp this summer and he said no. He would go only if I would come too. I couldn't go as I would have had 3 yo dd with me, who would NOT be into five half days of hanging out on the ice at a hockey camp.
Do we keep it informal for another year or two and risk him getting "behind" other kids his age? This is a serious concern for me. Natural talent is good, but experience is what will solidify it. If he could have been great but doesn't get to be because we don't provide the opportunity for him to play, I will regret that.
I would love to hear what others are doing/have done or any other thoughts or advice that you may have.
We live in the Canadian prairies, where hockey is a part of the cultural identity for many.
We've done mini-soccer the past two summers.
I'm pretty sure there is a 5/6 year old hockey league we could join. I would coach, ds would play.
At the end of last winter ds told us that he didn't want to join a team yet. I was surprised but didn't push it. I just said "okay".
When he brought it up again he explained that he wanted to play hockey, just not in front of a crowd of people yelling at the kids.
He has seen a few games at the local rink (kid's games) and I guess there have been some parents yelling at the ref, players, what have you. He's also certainly heard me or dh talking about this phenomena in kids' hockey. DH tried to tell him that when you're playing you don't notice the yelling, but that didn't help.
He's back to saying that he would like to be on a team, and I'm just not sure if we should go ahead with it.
1) he probably wouldn't have revisited it again if he didn't think it was what dh and I wanted
2) I was listening to this great interview on the radio today about the importance of letting kids' develop at an age appropriate level and not push early achievement before they are ready. the show was about reading and literacy but it seems like there might be a paralel here.
3) ds is a very strong skater and a good little hockey player. He could be excellent, I think. He is a very very good soccer player.
4) it is more important to me that my kid be happy than that my kid excel in sports. It's just complicated because excelling in and enjoying sports is such a source of happiness and personal fulfillment for me and for dh also. And ds is clearly capable.
So, do I pursue a 5/6 year old team this winter?
I asked him if he wanted to go to a five half day hockey camp this summer and he said no. He would go only if I would come too. I couldn't go as I would have had 3 yo dd with me, who would NOT be into five half days of hanging out on the ice at a hockey camp.
Do we keep it informal for another year or two and risk him getting "behind" other kids his age? This is a serious concern for me. Natural talent is good, but experience is what will solidify it. If he could have been great but doesn't get to be because we don't provide the opportunity for him to play, I will regret that.
I would love to hear what others are doing/have done or any other thoughts or advice that you may have.
We live in the Canadian prairies, where hockey is a part of the cultural identity for many.
