As kids grow and mature, they pass through the same stages of development. However, they all do this at different rates. Physical and mental growth rarely coincides, and this has implications for youth sports programs. Here is a simplified outline of child development.
Developmental Markers and Characteristics
3-6 Years
6-12 years
12-17 years
17+
It's not difficult to imagine some of the implications of this pattern for effective sports programming. What you see on the outside doesn’t always match up with what’s on the inside. Kids are continually changing and development isn’t linear.
This is why, at 12U, it's important for parents, coaches and youth sports organizations to have patience. The developing athlete you see before you now is not the athlete you will see tomorrow.
Child development is a less linear process than many people realize.