When practice doesn't make perfect

My kids aren't into sports yet. They show some interest in at-home athletics -- like tossing around footballs, batting at the balls their daddy pitches at them, and running in an occasional fun run. But at the moment, they don't show much interest in organized sports. That's fine by us. We're not pushing. When they're ready, they're ready. And if they're not ever ready, well then, they just aren't.

In the event my boys do take a turn into the world of sports, it'll be important that we continue to not push -- when it comes to practice anyway.

While practice may make perfect, practicing every day can increase a child's risk of injury. In fact, up to 50 percent of all injuries seen in pediatric sports medicine are related to overuse, according to a recent report of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To protect your mini-athlete from overdoing it, consider these AAP recommendations:

• Allow your child one or two days a week off from any organized sports activity. This will give time for rest and participation in other activities.

• Stop or slow down training if your child feels any pain or discomfort.

• Schedule longer breaks of a week or more every two to three months so injuries can heal and your child can work on strength training and conditioning. This psychological break will also help your child from burning out.

For a more detailed listing of child-athlete recommendations, click here.