Really I am no athlete. Not even a little bit. I spent my whole childhood and young adulthood avoiding any and all forms of physical activity. I was contentedly happy as a music geek, faining injuries so that I wouldn't have to participate in anything that might make me work up a sweat. Or show how uncoordinated that I was. That method worked so well for me. I assumed that when I had children, they would naturally follow in my music-geekiness footsteps. From music they would learn poise, confidence, and discipline.
In my early twenties I began to see athletics in a different light. Softball is kinda okay with a group of friends. Water sports are a blast. Fall football games are entertaining. And frisbee golf? Well, now that is downright fun. And I began to admire those who enjoy sports and are actually good at them.
Then I went and married into a family who loves, loves, loves sports. Sports Nuts, I call them. (My mother-in-law even has a degree is Physical Education).
Now me and the man I married have a bit of a quandary: sports or music. While I still believe that poise, confidence, and discipline can be learned from music, I also see the added benefits of fitness that goes along with sports. Having my fingers in tip-top shape from playing piano comes in handy for concertos, but not so much when trying to lose pregnancy weight gain.
Jeff and I have decided to expose our children to sport and music. Crazy. I know. If they show a natural aptitude and/or desire to participate in one more than the other, then fine. Discipline of character is the goal.
We signed Emma up for T-ball this month through the YMCA. Her cousins (Josh and Jake) were doing it and that made T-ball sound way more appealing than the swimming lessons I was planning on.
Twice a week we go to practice and Emma joins the other 4-6 year olds in learning the fine art of hitting a ball off a T with a bat and catching ground balls with a glove.
That's my girl. Or, I should say, my husband's child since the ball actually made it into the glove.
Notice the kids in the right side of the picture? There is a lot of scrambling and falling going on at PeeWee T-ball.
Emma really enjoys it and is learning new skills. She also does a lot of chewing on her glove and staring off into space. Maybe she is related to me after all.
At the end of each practice there is a game. With so many kids participating, the bases are pretty hard to see. It's a free for all when a player makes a hit. 30 preschoolers swarming the same ball is a pretty funny event. Eventually one child will pop up from the dogpile with the ball in hand and exclaim, "I got it." Meanwhile, the guy up to bat could have made a home run if he knew where the bases were. They'll get it. Hopefully.
Emma is up to bat...
Looking as an objective observer, I see Emma's talents more in the musical realm. She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing. Her ear is very good too and can repeat tunes that I sing or play on the piano. Today I got Taylor Swift's White Horse stuck in my head. I was absently singing it and then heard Emma mimicking, "... it's too late for you and your white horse... to come around."
Note to self: only absently sing songs that I want my preschooler repeating. Taylor Swift, go away.
For now, it's T-ball.
So, what do you think? Sports or music for children. Neither or all. Both or some?
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