Exposing Children to Various Sports and Movements

WRITTEN BY BLAINE PEDERSON

As a track and field coach for the last 15 years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the sport’s history. Track and field is one of the oldest forms of human competition, dating back to a time when we had no balls, hoops, goals or specialized sticks/rackets — just our bodies and perhaps some sticks and rocks to throw. At its core, track and field remains a competition of body versus body, where the most efficient use of physics and mechanics often determines the winner. How can we help young bodies start to learn the movements that are so crucial to sport skills?

When I talk with my athletes about training, I emphasize that mastering movement is about forging new neural connections and refining them through repetition. Learning a new skill isn’t just about effort; it’s about making movements more efficient through exposure, practice and proper mechanics.

Developing Movement Skills From Childhood to Young Adulthood

As parents, we often see our children as sponges, absorbing everything around them. Watching them learn new skills is incredible! Just as we expose them to words, numbers, colors and languages, we should also introduce them to a wide range of movements. Below are general guidelines for fostering athletic development at different stages of childhood and adolescence.

Ages 0-5: Basic Locomotor Movements and Gross Motor Skills

Most babies naturally develop the first locomotor movements, such as crawling and walking, but we can help them learn additional skills early on. These movements include crawling, walking, climbing, running, hopping, skipping, jumping, leaping, galloping and sliding.

To further develop these skills, introduce variations:

• “Can you run in a zig-zag pattern?”

• “Hop really high! Now can you stay low while hopping?”

• “Can you skip fast? How about slow?”

Encourage balance in different positions and incorporate bending and twisting movements. Introduce kicking, throwing and catching using a variety of objects to develop coordination and adaptability.

Ages 5-12: Exposure to Sports in a Fun Environment

This is the ideal time to expose children to as many sports and activities as possible. Each sport helps develop different physical skills and builds a broad athletic foundation. The focus at this stage should be on fun and enjoying the experience, rather than competition.

Continue developing fundamental movement skills while ensuring sports remain enjoyable. Avoid getting too caught up in competitive leagues or rankings. If a child loves a sport, they will naturally want to improve. Remember, the tallest peaks often have the widest base—so provide a broad foundation.

Ages 12-16: Learning to Compete

At this stage, children can begin taking sports more seriously. Training and practice can become more structured, and they can participate in more competitive environments. It’s OK to introduce the idea of striving to be better than their competitors and setting performance-based goals.

However, it’s still beneficial to avoid early specialization. A broad athletic base continues to support long-term success and reduces the risk of burnout or injury.

Ages 16-18: Learning to Win

If an athlete wishes to specialize in a sport, this is the right time. However, participating in multiple sports is still beneficial for overall development. By this stage, they will have had enough experience to make an informed decision about where they want to focus their energy and passion.

Even when focused on competition, sports should always remain fun and not feel like a job. The ultimate goal is to foster a love for movement and competition that extends into lifelong fitness and activity.

Final Thoughts

If a child is fortunate enough to discover a sport they truly love, the focus should be on translating that passion into a lifelong commitment to physical activity. Whether they compete at an elite level or simply stay active for enjoyment, the foundation built during their developmental years will serve them well for a lifetime.

Blaine Pederson is a recreation leader with the City of Bozeman, Head Track Coach at Bozeman High, and has coached all levels and types of youth sports from toddlers on up over the last 15 years.