Timing children's entry into training

Publicized  in the Times Union, Albany.

Your daughter is captivated by Kerri Strug and wants to be a world-class gymnast. You want to foster archery prowess in your child.
Serious sports contenders train young: synchronized swimmers should start no later than age 9, said Carol Leith, Troy Sculpins boosters club president.
Boys and girls might join an accelerated gymnastics program for 3- or 4-year-olds, but for  recreation and fitness, can start gymnastics anytime, said trainer Yury Tsykun.
And for a serious archery enthusiast, starting as a toddle is not too early, said Phillip Winegard, a state-certified instructor. His 4-H students are ages 9 to 15.
The appropriate age to begin training will vary from sport to sport and from child to child, but one sports psychologist makes one thing clear: A child's entry into a sport should be used as a chance for family discussion - and parents should steer clear of placing undue pressure on their children.
"The major thing for the parents is to keep open the lines of communication, so they can be hearing from their kids," said Sel Lederman, a New York sports psychologist.
He has some concrete suggestions: borrow a library book on the sport to learn about it, then discuss it within the family. Children should also try to sport on a trial basis, for a season of a year, for instance. Midway, access how your child is doing.
Sports psychologist Richi Morris, of Hartsdale, Westchester County, recently completed a stint at the Olympics, where he counseled individual athletes.
Morris takes a tough stance. He believes sports associations across the board should raise the at which children begin competition.
"The age level for serious competition needs to be re-examined and needs to be raised in this country, and not just for the Olympics."
He points to what he called the "Little League parent syndrome." the parent who wanted to be a great baseball star and is projecting the desire onto the child. Other parents are merely competitive and can't shut the feeling off even during child's play.
"When there's this competitive spirit, if it's allowed to be vented and encouraged at an early level, the parents are going to be pushing at that early level and the child is robbed of childhood." he believes.
Morris also faults commercialism for the pressure of early competition.
"Can you hear those cash registers ringing?" he asked.
He favors the system of other countries, such as Bulgaria, where children are thoroughly examined and training is placed well before competition, or in China, where school sports emphasize physical coordination without competition.
Morris also would screen parents motive - at all levels of sports by starting group and individual counseling.