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3 year old football, not joining in advice

7 replies

Helium321 · 02/06/2013 20:44

My 3 yr old has just started football sessions where they have a kick about, a few dribbling drills and goal scoring games. He always looks forward and asks to go but once he's there after half an hour or so he's not interested in playing or joining in.
I'm in two minds about whether to continue taking him because on one hand if he's asking to go I should continue... How do I encourage him to play once he's there? Would it help to play some football at home as tbh he hasn't really been exposed to football at all. But it's a little frustrating when he doesn't want to join in.

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deleted203 · 02/06/2013 20:53

I think he's very young, personally, to be joining in with a game of football. I suspect the clue is in the 'after half an hour or so he's not interested'. He's tired/bored by then - as would be normal for any 3 yo.

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SwishSwoshSwoosh · 02/06/2013 20:54

He is only three, so I would just let him join in or not if he wants to. Why does it matter? Don't pressure him to join in, that's the fastest way to make it not fun.

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AMumInScotland · 02/06/2013 21:03

Half an hour is quite a long time for a 3yo to stay interested in anything. If he enjoys it for that long, I'd continue.

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Helium321 · 02/06/2013 21:34

Thanks all. No I don't want to push him into it at all. They don't play a proper football game as such, just games where they each have a ball to kick.
I'm just considering whether to continue taking him or letting him have a break from it, but I think you are all right that if he's interested in it even for part of a session then I should encourage him to join in that part and he can always watch for the rest of the time and join in when he likes.

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Beatrixpotty · 02/06/2013 21:46

I started taking DS1 to football when he was 3.The whole lesson was just 1/2 an hour which was long enough.The age group was 3-4.Some of the boys got it and were quite good but mine just messed around.I carried on for several weeks and then stopped as he obviously wasn't interested and I didn't want him to think he didn't like football based on that.

The group after is 4-5 and all the boys are a lot more focused.They are in reception/year 1 and obviously better at following instructions.

My friend's DS is 9 and plays for a major club's boys team(or whatever the correct name is) and he wasn't interested in football at all until 6 or 7.

3 is very young so if he's not that bothered now,I would leave it.I'm assuming with my DS that when he's at school and they kick balls around he might get more interested and we can start football classes again.

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neolara · 02/06/2013 21:50

He's 3. Lots and lots of 3 year olds won't join in anything for more than about 2 minutes. That's completely normal. If your ds is joining in for 30 mins that's bloody fantastic. If he wants to stop after half an hour, I'd let him. Or if that isn't "acceptable" within the group, I'd stop for now and start again in a year or so.

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BettyandDon · 02/06/2013 21:51

My nearly 3 year old DD is the same with her ballet/dancing. She told me eventually that she was scared of the other girls so I think it was a social confidence thing.

We still go and she just does the bits she wants. If she doesn't enjoy it fully by end term I will waste my money on something elseSmile.

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