Training Baby to Go Pro? Companies Teaching 11-Week-Olds Sports

My daughter's 3 children are 9, 6, and 3 yr. old. They went to a play center called "My Gym" when they were just infants. The sessions were organized by age and the mommy, daddy, or nanny was with the child helping him/her move around a matted floor. There were balls to roll, mirrors to look in, and various centers to crawl through or climb on. During all of the activities peppy music was in the background, and many were sung by the instructors and other adults. No child was forced to do anything he/she didn't want. For part of the time the activities were done together, and then for the other time the pairs were free to do as they chose. This gave the children exposure to other kids and helped them learn how to move their bodies. They still enjoy going back to a summer camp session. Birthday parties are also encouraged to be held at "My Gym." The instructors are usually young, vibrant, active college kids who have limitless energy! This is in NO way competitive -- each child does whatever he/she is capable of.

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Idiots. Kids don't even understand the concept. They should not be competing in any sports until they are at least 9 or 10. It is the parent that couldn't play jack shit in sports that is living their dream through their kid that they are forcing to play the stupid sports or hoping they will turn pro and support them and buy them expensive homes and cars.

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I played baseball from 11 until I was 15. In HS I played football and competed in track. Then a year of college football.

My father was a decent HS athlete. He only gave me one piece of advice in sports. When I started playing football he said: "If there's a fight, don't take your helmet off."

I miss that guy. He never pushed me, but came to all my games. As did my mom.

Now academics were another story. Grades came first. As long as the grades stayed up, the sports were fine.

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not to push my kids BUT they HAD to have a sport to partake in. I have 3 girls ages 25, 23,& 20 & Bill 18.Amanda & Alissa started with learning to swim at the programs at the city pool at about 5&3yrs.of age and went thourgh all the levels over a couple of years. Bre & Bill did the same as they turned 3yrs.old.Amanda started into soccer & t-ball that same year same. the others did too when they turned 5.Amanda quit softball but played rec. & club soccer for 14 yrs.Alissa played both for approx.4 yrs. then joined a year round club swim team.Set 5 high school records.. that still stand 7 yrs. later and recieved a swim scholarship to the University of New Orleans (lucky us).Bre played t-ball/softball for couple yrs., but stayed w/ soccer , went club , become a goalie.just finished jr.college w/ most shutouts , best and less then 1 goal allowed pre game avg. 2nd best in school history.Bill played t-ball / baseball & soccer for 3 yrs.then got into swiming via Alissa he was excellent but after 2 yrs. the team fell apart,,back to soccer and found basketball.. and in jr. high volleyball,,which he stills plays both as a senior...1 yr of hi school football,,,but coach was a jerk! I did coach the t-ball, asst. coach the baseball /softball / soccer and helped at the pool for many, 9 or 10 yrs. not for them to go pro but to learn all that sports teach you win lose or draw never give up and quit.I enjoyed bout 98% of the time with my kids.Wouldn't change a thing...except maybe that 1 or 2 %

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Hi all. this is Gigi Fernandez, the founder of Baby Goes Pro, one of the companies mentioned in the Today Show feature. I am also a tennis hall of famer and a 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist, which translates into "I know first hand how incredibly difficult it is to become a professional athlete"! No DVD will ever turn you into an athlete and that is not what we claim or want for our young viewers. The Discover Sports DVD is a simple and engaging introduction to sports, which we hope inspires children of this generation to want to be more active. With the childhood obesity epidemic, it seemed like a good product to offer as an alternative to the more passive and non-sporty options available in the market.
I appreciate the concerns from parents who think its too early, but that is only the case if the intent is to turn your child into a pro. If you want my advice, as an ex-professional athlete, there is really not much parents can do to influence a child into becoming a pro. Pushing kids into sports usually leads to burn out. My advice is to make it fun, make sure they are playing lots of different sports and doing other activities to be well balanced. Happy playing!

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