This year, it’s not only back to (a new) school but it’s also back to sports season for the first time ever in our household! Annie is two and a half and is now able to enroll in various after-school activities like soccer, dance, and even gymnastics. We don’t plan to force any one sport upon her but let her try each and everything out that may interest her and invest our time in what she decides she loves the most.
Patrick and I both heavily participated in sports growing up. I was a decent swimmer for 12+ years and he was a rockstar at basketball. We both also played lacrosse. But I would say Patrick is still much much more athletic than I am (I still have trouble shooting a basketball through a hoop!). So, I’m really curious to see who Annie is going to take after. Will she enjoy team spots, solo sports like dance, running or swimming? Only time will tell and I can’t wait to see what she gravitates towards.
To gear up for Annie’s first ever soccer practice and dance class, we went to Academy Sports + Outdoors and had too much fun filling our shopping basket with sporting essentials. The whole experience immediately brought me back to my own childhood as I have such vivid memories of doing the same thing before each sport season all those years ago!
In today’s post, I’m sharing not only what we scooped up from Academy but also a few tips I’ve heard from friends and other Mamas on how to best introduce toddlers to sports for the first time. More below!
It’s Never Too Early to Start Sports
In pre-school, sports aren’t so much about competition but all about staying active and having FUN. Let’s be honest, I’ve been looking forward to watching Annie perform in her first dance recital since I found out I was having a little girl. I could care less if she follows any of the choreography while onstage, as long as she is happy to be there. Better yet, if she’s not following the set choreography it will be all the more entertaining! At this age there is no pressure to perform or even score a goal. I’m thinking I can really get down with kid’s sports!
How to Find the Right Fit
Our daughter may be young, but she is already expressing stronger interests in various activities over others. Watching for signs of what she enjoys is key to figuring out what she will like at this young age. But then again, toddlers also change their minds VERY quickly. Annie definitely enjoys kicking and passing the ball around in the backyard, which is why we thought soccer would be a great sport to start. I also think it will be amazing to introduce her to the concept of working with a team for the first time too.
I’ll tell you what she really loves the most: dancing!
We frequently play classical music when we’re hanging out at home and sometimes Annie will stand right up and spin around like a ballerina on her own accord. I’ll jump in and dance too, but let me tell you, she is definitely NOT learning any rhythm from me. Annie’s dancing skills are all her own and watching her dance to the beat of the music is utterly captivating! Even in our living room with nobody else looking on but myself, I’ve never felt prouder!
The ballet class we wanted to enroll Annie in doesn’t accept students until they turn 3-years-old. So, she will be doing an organized gymnastics class until she is ready for ballet. But until then, we’ll be having our own form of (very unstructured) ballet lessons at home. Aka, Annie will dress up in her leotard, tights and ballet slippers and perform for Patrick and me to music after dinner. Ha, it makes for the best kind of dinner show!! Ever since we bought her this leotard from Academy, Annie has specifically requested to change into it each evening. It is the cutest thing!!
Consider Your Family’s Schedule when Signing Up
At Annie’s pre-school orientation, I was handed packet after packet of after-school activity options. The “yes person” inside of me wanted to sign up for everything! I was so excited that Annie now had these opportunities available to her. But then my own mom had me pause to consider the time that would go into each and every one of these activities. Soccer would mean regular Saturday morning games, and less weekend getaways. Dance classes would mean packing Annie an extra bag to bring to school and keeping up with what days she stays later and comes home earlier. There are also recitals to consider too. Having just one child, I feel like this shouldn’t be too hard to juggle. The season of life we are transitioning into is one where there will be less weekend getaways with more time focused on our daughter. I’m so ready for it too!!
We outfitted Annie for her first soccer practice with the most precious little cleats and toddler size Nike shorts!! When she walked out dressed up and ready I had to snap about 100 pictures on my iPhone to share with the whole family immediately. It was too cute not to do so! We also picked up her pink child-size soccer ball at Academy to practice with until the season officially starts.
With all the running around I’ll be doing in the coming weeks, I picked up a comfy pair of black leggings, lighter than air adidas sneakers and a BCG Crisscross Dolman tee. I’m now readier than ever to become a soccer mom!
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What were the first sports and activities you signed your toddler up to try!? I’m so excited to see what Annie thinks of this whole new world of sports!
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Big thank you to Academy Sports + Outdoors for sponsoring this blog post. My family has shopped here for years and we are thrilled to now introduce our daughter to so many sports and outdoor activities that we love in the hopes that she will too. Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible.
xo, Alice
