Too often and too early Canadian parents are pressuring young children to specialize in one sport, and a new campaign is urging them to stop. The campaign being run in the eastern province of Nova Scotia warns that early specialization can result in injury and burnout.
‘Disturbing trend’
The Get More From Sport campaign says there is “a disturbing trend” of parents succumbing to peer pressure from other parents, coaches or private companies to push their children under 12 to play one sport. A typical example would be pressure to play hockey in hopes the children could one day attain a highly-coveted place in the National Hockey League.
Fun will keep children active for life
The campaign says it is much better for children to play many different sports and for them to have fun. The campaign’s homepage suggests that “hopefully, the grown-ups will worry less about the score, or the level, or ‘getting ahead,’ and simply foster a love of sport that keeps children active for live.”
The message will be sent out over social media, billboards and a website.
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