We do Dance (combo of ballet and tap) on Monday, Soccer practice on Tuesday, Tumbling class and gymnastics class on Wednesday, on Thursday we usually have a T-Ball game, Saturday the 3 yr. old has Micro Soccer at the YMCA and a Buddy and Me Gymnastics class that his 2 yr. old sister also attends. On Sunday the girl rides in BMX races.
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Here's my opinion on team sports and a 4 yr. old:
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T-Ball:
Usually costs under $50, our fees for this includes a team tee shirt. We provide shorts, gloves, hats, anything else we want to purchase like T-Ball bats or T's for home practice.
It's all about learning a few simple rules, hit the ball and run to first base, stay in a general area while the other team bats. You can pick flowers if you want and turn cartwheels but don't bump into any other players picking flowers and twirling around.
The kids learn some teamwork but not until they just finally "get it" about Kindergarten age. It is a fun sport and the kids really respond to the one on one work to teach them to hit the ball without the T. It is worth the time.
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Soccer:
It usually costs under $50.00 and then the uniform, ball $10, shorts $5-$10, shin guards about $7, etc....but they usually have the same team year after year if it's a good fit. They wear the same uniform so they may be able to wear it more than a year.
It's lots of running back and forth, they learn some teamwork, more than T-Ball but not to the extent they are a well oiled machine...they learn kicking and running and getting over "it's not nice to take toys away from others", they get to activly play when they are on the field not just stand around hoping someone will hit the T-Ball to them.
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Dance:
Price varies greatly. Parents are usually NOT allowed to observe class.
One thing that is an option you can check into is a combo class that combines tumbling and dance, the class does about half an hour dancing and then half an hour tumbling. It's usually for the itty bitty ones and they learn better because they play things like the Hokey Pokey, left foot in teaches them to follow directions and left from right, following the teacher, etc...it's learning in a laid back easy setting.
We do a combo class of Ballet and Tap, my other grandson takes Hip Hop too, it's $48 a month and as we add more classes the cost goes down until it's only about $15 a month to add another class. We have to buy a specific leotard for the class because the teachers need to focus on muscles and positions. If everyone is dressed diferently the teachers eyes are distracted. Quality leotards are going to last for years. Most of the ones ours wear to class have been through several other kids. The tap shoes were about $25 and the ballet shoes were about $30. There is also an enrollment fee per family per year. So far this year K has had a growth spurt and we are onour 3rd pair of tap shoes.
For a recital year the Costume fees can be astronomical, $100 per dance number isn't unheard of and is most common. Plus you have to pay a fee to particiapte, the studio owner has spent countless hours planning, writing, choreographing numerous dances and getting buildings etc...and they need to pay so much out. Dance can be expensive but what can compare?
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Gymanstics and Tumbling
These classes are add ons for us and if individually they are about $50 a month. Our teacher does not require any particular "uniform" and the kids can wear any leotard they choose. We have quit the wardrobe for the classes. The kids are in smaller groups and work on many different area. it is well worth the time.
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BMX is awesome, we had to by a bike but a friend found one for a small fee. He added hand brakes and we are going to paint it for her. Her friends all ride and she is finally able because she learned to ride without training wheels. She is required to wear a specific style helmet but they have some at the track she could borrow, she is required to wear long pants and long sleeves. Some wear a chest plate to protect their chest of they crash. It's not that expensive, $40 to the ABA, American Bicycle Association, and she can race at any BMX track. It costs just a few dollars each week and she either gets a trophy or a ribbon if she comes in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. BMX is now an Olympic Sport so it is picking up in popularity.
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I don't know anything about Karate. But I am sure it could be something you try out for a month and see what you think, or just go and observe the class.
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I know this is long but we stay very active, the kids can choose for themselves as they get older but right now I want them to develop habits of staying active and busy. I am grossly overweight and was not until a few years ago, I played Softball in college until I had a knee injury, I can't run 5 miles every night anymore and I regret not being more active.
I will add some links aobut some of the above sports:
http://www.ababmx.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmx
This is our track:
http://www.soonerstatebmx.com/
http://www.ymcasports.org/ittybitty.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbling_(gymnastics)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tee_Ball
