Michelle+Kwan

When Michelle Kwan was a young child, she had to balance her time between schoolwork and hours of practice on the ice rink. As she moved up to the Senior Nationals level, her parents were concerned that she understood "the fine line between discipline and pressure." Many young professional athletes spend the early mornings training, go to school for a few hours, practice and train all afternoon and finally return home late at night when they start their homework. Some kids 'burn out', meaning they can't handle the strict schedule or miss having free time to go to the movies and hang out with friends. Some parents think kids should just be kids, playing and having fun. Other parents want their kids to learn discipline through sports.

What do you think? Do you think young kids should start training at a young age for professional sports, but miss out on play time and friends? Do you think kids should just have time to go to school to learn and play with friends? What if a young athlete burns out and didn't spend too much time in school - now what do they do?

//(Make sure to re-read your comment to make sure it makes sense. Use proper grammar and punctuation!)//

post due by Friday, October 2 ﻿ 9!!

Well, I think kids should do a sport. I think they should do a sport at a young age so that when they grow up they could de like Michelle Kwan. If they want to play a sport they can play a sport at a young age but they need to be cautious that the are going to miss out on play time with friends. I think they might just be able to go to school but not able to hang out with friends unless they are overachievers. If an athlete were to burn out in school one day they could also burn out in the sport. If they were to burn out then they wouldn't have no school!!!! Thats why we need to overachieve!!! (Nayelie#18) Nayelie - this is such a good post! Excellent grammar and spelling. You made an interesting point about an athlete burning out of school AND the sport! This happened to me! I was a competitive swimmer for 11 years. When I graduated high school, I decided not to swim in college because I had burned out of the many hours devoted to practices and competitions. It's been over ten years since I swam for competition and I'm starting to miss it. (Mrs. Given)

I think that they should go to school because, when they are bigger they could be someone in life. (Marlene #1)

I think kids should have fun go to school, and have friends. If they want to have a life life like Michelle they should read the book first. It is better to have a life with friends, family, school, and fun. ( Yarixsa #9 )

I think a young child doing a sport that takes time away from school and family should take time off of sports and have time with his/her family. Please claim your post by writing your name at the end! (Mrs. Given)

I don't think children should start training at a young age they should be able to play with there friends. I think kids should be able to go to school to learn and play with there friends. If an athlete burns out and didn't go to school they should go back to school and learn. (Juan #11)

I think kids should just learn and play with friends and chill with school mates. Then they will learn about themselves,their people and their city.(Andres #16) Andres, I like how you are thinking about young kids learning about themselves! Self-awareness and confidence are important traits to have (Mrs. Given)

Well, I think since they have that opportunity to do it they should. Maybe they'll even have time school on they're way to success. If he/she has time they can be with there friends a while. (Madeline #12)

I think kids should start training at a young age because they get better and they can be ready for what waits for them. But if they try out for a team they won't have time to hang out with their friends and they won't get to do the fun things like their friends do. Kids should have time to go to school because they can get a better College degree. If a young athlete burns they wouldn't have much time in school and they won't learn.(Jesus#7)

I think kids should start training so that when they are old enough to play you could already know how to play. When your young you can find all the things you like and also other things. Kids love sports, television, and food some people are good at sports ,but others aren't. If kids burn out because you either get pressured or give up. Kids think things are easy some are and some aren't. {Brittney#20

I think yes because he or she could show that she is good. You should go to school and learn, but when the year is finish go and enjoy a sport you like. I think they quit because they don't no how to do a sport or didn't do good in school and just get into trouble.(Fernando#5)

I think kids should start training at a young age because they could show how talented they are. I also think they should because they might think they are bad, but turns out that they are really good.{Citlalli Yes, Citlalli! We should always try, even if we aren't sure if we're good at it. I'm not good at this. I only like to do things I know I am good at. I should take your advice and try things that are new or unknown :) (Mrs. Given)

I think young kids should start in a young age and miss out playing and other stuff because if they start in a young age they will have a better life and learn more then other people and if they play with there friends they might end up bad or in trouble. (Bianka)

I think young kids should start young for three things one they will be skilled when they are older two they have a better chance of getting into whatever there working at and three they will be very happy if they make into what they have been practicing on for there whole life.(Jacob#29) I think kids should just have fun and not be stressed. they should have fun on a sport with kids their age and all at the same level as her. (Jeanette#19 she should go to school.(ariel#13)