Introducing sports to a toddler

[NewMom0208]

Hello!

My son is two and he doesn't talk much, so I had him evaluated, he is ok and we also learned he is very advanced in motor skills and eye-ball coordination.

He did started walking freely at 10 1/2 months old. Observing other kids even older than him now I can see he was excellent balance and abilities.

He likes to get upside down and that I help him do some gymnastics. Which is fun for me too.

What are resources, books, tips, equipment that I can use so he can do more of that? Should i explore sports? Please be budget minded with your answers.

I suck at sports, but was very good at gymnastics. He likes to play ball, but I just dont know how to teach him
someone mentioned this is a great age to get some basic tennis exercises, but I have no idea what those are.

Any tips, resources and compassionate advise?

[pigpokey]

Do you have a cheap pool where you can take him swimming year round? Where he can start diving off the side / start using a board when he can swim well enough to be in the diving well? If you have a gov't pool with good facilities that can be very cheap!

We do one parent-child open play at a gymnastics center where I can get a two-child (I have two) ten visit punch card for a 2 hour open play session for $84. That's a good deal.

Cheap: play catch. Get a wiffle ball bat. Take him to the rec center and play with all the equipment when the place is empty during the day.

[Tjej]

Playing outside is cheap and good. Running in fields. Climbing rocks. Tromping through the forest. Climbing trees.

Kids naturally challenge themselves (balance on the root, jump off the stump, etc.).

Get a few balls to kick and throw, find a soft patch of grass to tumble on, and you're set for a long time!

Tjej

[One_Girl]

He may like mom and me swimming lessons. If you have a YMCA in your area that may be something to look into. They offer very good financial assistance to help kids and families participate in their programs.

[NewMom0208]

Excellent ideas, and yes, forgot to mention he goes to the pool in summer since he is 10 months old.
I will get him more balls and look around for cheap gym classes and see.
Will make a tour of national and city parks to see what they have to offer

Thanks everyone!

[pigpokey]

Originally Posted by NewMom0208

Excellent ideas, and yes, forgot to mention he goes to the pool in summer since he is 10 months old.
I will get him more balls and look around for cheap gym classes and see.
Will make a tour of national and city parks to see what they have to offer

Thanks everyone!

You're welcome! Do try year round swimming if you can. They tend to forget over the winter if you don't go once a week or so.

[Grace and Granola]

ds2 seems to be really adept at sports without our prompting. He's 3 now, but before age 2 he could throw a ball with great aim and could kick a ball well. I have just filled our backyard with things for him to explore: tennis balls, footballs, soccer balls, t-ball set, etc. He can kick a soccer ball, run, kick again, all the way down our yard like nothing I've ever seen. Just give him lots to choose from and see what he goes for!

ETA: all of these things are very inexpensive when purchased at the dollar store or walmart. The most expensive item was the t-ball set for $12!