Kids love to play. Organized sports leagues offer an opportunity to harness that love of play and the unbridled energy of youth in a positive manner. But not all sports leagues are created equally.

Turning your child over to a stranger’s care for a a few hours each week can be a frightening proposition. Sure, all leagues do background checks to screen out the serious risks, but what do you really know about the coaches and assistants on the team? A background check won’t help you rout out the screamers, the overly-competitive, or the just-plain-jerks. (more…)

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It is natural for parents to want their children to excel, to be the best, to be above other children in almost everything, to grow up into exemplary citizens who achieve so much in life. That’s an open secret that most of us have in our hearts, which is why we do everything to build our children into the super kids that we want them to be. But how do we exactly go about raising super kids? Each of us has a unique formula, but most fall into a common pattern. I see parents who buy musical instruments for their children and spend a fortune on music teachers who they hope turn their little ones into musical geniuses. Some parents want their children to become great athletes and train them in sports early in life. Others focus on the academics and do everything to make their children good harvesters of academic honors. Parents who use this formula of raising super kids often end up being disappointed.

There are parents whose formula of raising super kids tend to work better. This formula involves letting their children find the path to their own dreams,  and when it is found help them follow it.  Every day these parents discover new things with their children, new talents, new learning, little things that when put together can become really great. These parents let their children discover their own strengths and help them work on it.

Every child is a super kid, but it’s up to parents to see where the strength of their children lie. If we start by letting our own dreams for our children overtake our ability to see what they really have in them, we could muffle the super kid in them forever. Remember that our dreams for our children may not be their dream. If we just learn how to see the little wonders that a child learns and does every day, we will see the super kid in every child, and we will be more fulfilled as parents.

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Summer vacation either has arrived or is right around the corner.  While it is important that children get some sort of exercise daily, it also is important to take precautions when the temperatures are hot.  I was able to speak with Diane King, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and Certified Athletic Trainer, from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sports Medicine.

When dealing with summer heat and exercise, it is very important to make sure your child is hydrated.  According to Ms. King, “An important thing to remember is that thirst is not a good indicator of when to drink.  By the time a child notices they are thirsty, they are already in early stages of dehydration.  And at that point, it may take a while to replace these losses.  Children have a considerably lower sweating capacity than adults.  Because of a greater ratio of body surface area to body mass, children absorb heat more quickly when the ambient temperature exceeds skin temperature. So they overheat more quickly especially if they have not been out in the heat much.”

For tips on how much fluid your child needs to stay hydrated, Ms. King referenced the Beverage Institute’s guidelines. The recommended amounts are:

• 12-16 ounces- 2 hours before start
• 8 ounces- 15 minutes before start
• 4-6 ounces every 20 minutes

“Sipping fluids every 15-20 minutes makes it easier on the tummy/gut, too. Gulping a lot of water all at once can slosh around depending on the activity. If they are drinking water from a water fountain, it’s hard to estimate the actual amount although in general, the estimate is 1/2 – 1 ounce per gulp.  So kids will say they had a lot to drink and it could turn out to be very little.”

It is important not only that children stay hydrated but also that they don’t overheat.  If children are involved in outdoor exercise or sports, there are several precautions that can be taken when the temperature rises.  Some of Ms. Kings’ suggestions were:

• Adjust the practice schedule accordingly.
• Schedule training sessions to avoid the hottest part of the day (10am to 5pm).
• Avoid radiant heating from direct sunlight especially in the acclimatization period.

Don’t forget to apply sunblock and keep hydrated, and then let your kids enjoy the outdoors and exercise all summer long!

Learn more about summer fitness, including warm-ups & cool-downs, workout suggestions, hydration tips, and exercise via your smartphone.

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I come to you with only Karate, my empty hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor; should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons: Karate, my empty hands.  These words are the basis of American Kenpo, a martial art I feel is very good for kids to study.

Most importantly, Kenpo teaches you self defense.  This helps your kids in the case of a crime, if they are bullied, and many more incidents.  The need for an effective method for your kids to protect themselves in today’s often hostile and violent environment is very real.  Also, the study of American Kenpo will boost your child’s physical coordination immensely.  Self confidence and a positive mental attitude are acquired in the lessons of Kenpo, along-with self-discipline and determination to move on.  Finally, today’s lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary for kids. With television increasingly occupying more and more of many children’s time, physical inactivity becomes an ever present concern of interested parents. The study of Kenpo is a very invigorating endeavor that enables your kids to create and build energy in a focused and directed manner.

At my school, Granite State American Kenpo, classes are set up like this. The teen and adult class is for ages thirteen and older, the kids class is six through twelve, and the preschool class is ages three and a half and up.  Prices are reasonable, and if your teacher feels you are ready, you can join a club for motivated learners.  Also, there are family bonuses for families who go together.  One of my best friend’s whole family goes, so three out of the four of them train together.

So, if your child is unruly, bullied, out of shape, or without direction, he or she should try Kenpo.

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One of the many challenges that parents face is the decision to enroll their child in a sports program for the first time. When to enroll, where to enroll, and in what sport? All three questions can be tricky, and all three will have a significant impact on your child’s development.

The when is partially dictated by the league. Many sports are open to 4 year olds. But is your four year old ready? In my experience as a coach and a father, I’ve found five to be more appropriate for most children. At five they have begun school and have a gasp on the discipline required to sit still and take instruction.

What sport to choose? The biggest mistake parents make here is thinking that their five year old is equipped to make a decision that will last through their high school years. Little Johnny may be excited about basketball right now, but will he still be interested when he hits middle school? I endorse the approach of letting your child try as many different programs as they express an interest in. Don’t push your favorite on your child or assume that he wants to continue playing one sport forever. Over the course of their first few years, a child can easily try a season of basketball, baseball, football, and soccer.

After a season of each (and there is no reason to limit them to the four examples listed above), your child certainly will have both good and bad experiences. Some sports and leagues you may decide to revisit, others you may never see again. The point is that a child of 4, 5,6, 7 years old wants to explore, and a variety of sports programs is a good outlet.

Where to enroll may be the hardest of the three questions. Depending on where you live, you may have multiple leagues available to you for a given sport. My best advice to you is to find the league that focuses on instruction, not competition. There will be plenty of time to compete as your child gets older. For the first years, quality instruction matters far more than winning games.

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