Question
Too much of a good thing
1
The rise in single-sport specialization is looked at as one of the factors
[explaining why] kids today are seeing the kinds of injuries normally associated
with adult players.
2
“Overuse occurs over time,” Anderson says. “And instead of playing multiple
positions, multiple sports, they are now specializing at a very young age and they
are playing all year round. The same motion, the same joints, all the time, and they
are going from one season right into the next. They are doing these showcases,
and instead of playing one game a weekend, they are playing five to six games
Saturday and Sunday. It is complete overuse.
3
And the kids who are experiencing overuse injuries are just getting younger
and younger because of it.
4
“I have seen kids as young as 7 and 8 who suffer injuries,” Geier says.
5
“The numbers go up as they get older, partly because kids are playing more
competitively as they get older. But you can see it very early. Parents really push
for kids to pick one sport and play, and there is not a lot of good scientific evidence
that that actually leads to long-term success in that sport.
6
“But what we do know is it definitely increases your injury rate. And that is
an important message that we have to do a better job of getting out there.”
Communicate often
7
Geier says the biggest thing parents can do is to talk to their kids in a way
that fosters open communication on their part. Children really want to please
their parents, teammates and coaches, and may hide injuries if they feel it will let
everyone down.
8
“Build a rapport and trust, because if you can catch some of these things
early, where it is just soreness, you can shut them down for a few days or tweak
6
Go on
Grade 7 English Language Arts, Subpart 1
ASSESSMENT MATERIAL
May only be reproduced for classroom use
the training and avoid a major injury and major surgery it might be tough to come
back from,” he says. “Kids will open up if they can learn to trust you and know
[you] are looking out for them.”
9
And if the coach wants to win at all costs, it is up to the parent to be the
advocate for their child.
10
“Ideally, you want a team approach with everybody looking out for the child,”
Excerpt from “When Safety Is the Name
of the Game”
by David Noonan
11
“We want kids to get up off the couch, we’re big cheerleaders for that,” says
Dr. Julie Gilchrist, a sports-injury expert at the CDC’s Center for Injury Prevention
and Control. “But be realistic in how you’re doing it. Make conscious choices about
injury prevention. Don’t just take it for granted.”
12
Most kids get their first lumps riding their bikes and cavorting on the
playground. The CDC estimates that more than 330,000 children from 5 to 14
are injured while bicycling each year. An additional 219,000 in that age group are
hurt on monkey bars and other climbing equipment, swings and slides. Wearing
a helmet that fits properly is the surest way to avoid serious injury on a bike.
(Helmets are also the key to safer skateboarding, which accounts for about 50,000
injuries among people under 20 each year, including many head injuries.) At the
playground, where 60 percent of injuries are due to falls, a soft surface to land on
is a top priority. Wood chips, shredded tires and sand are good; packed-down soil
is bad.
13
Organized sports, including football, are generally less risky for the
10-and-under crowd because the kids usually aren’t big enough or fast enough
to make collisions a serious problem. But that all changes when the hormones
kick in. “At puberty, children gain muscle mass, speed and weight,” says pediatric
orthopedic surgeon J. Andy Sullivan, coeditor of the book Care of the Young
7
Go on
Grade 7 English Language Arts, Subpart 1
ASSESSMENT MATERIAL
May only be reproduced for classroom use
Athlete. “And the combination of those things allows them to run together hard
enough to hurt each other.”
14
There is no reliable way to compare the relative risks of various sports
because the CDC doesn’t track the level of participation. It knows how many people
are injured playing basketball, for example (an estimated 977,000 each year, all
ages), but it doesn’t know how many people are playing the game, or for how long
or how many days a week. “Basketball is one of the most common sports in all
ages and areas of the U.S.,” says Gilchrist, “and so just because it has the highest
number of injuries doesn’t mean that it’s riskier.”
15
Whatever the sport, injury prevention begins with the athletes and their
parents. And the first thing they need to focus on, experts say, is conditioning.
Being out of shape, a real problem for lots of kids, increases risk. Those who play
only one sport have to be careful not to wait for their season to arrive before they
begin working out; going from naps in the hammock to two-a-day football practices
pretty much guarantees trouble. Appropriate gear in good condition is a must. And,
simple as it sounds, knowing and learning basic skills also helps young athletes
avoid injury. Baseball players should know how to slide correctly, football players
how to tackle, soccer players how to head the ball.
16
Besides making sure their kids are fit and understand the fundamentals,
parents can make any sport safer by attending games and practices, watching the
coaches and encouraging them to emphasize injury prevention. (Which is hardly
inconsistent with winning, since superior skill and safety go hand in hand.) Parents
can also promote safety by urging officials to call stringent games. When a ref
won’t tolerate flagrant fouls, players usually get the message and rein themselves
in (or they get ejected). The cleaner the game, the safer.
These 2 passages i gave you make me a essay that a 7th grader wrote and huminize it.
1
The rise in single-sport specialization is looked at as one of the factors
[explaining why] kids today are seeing the kinds of injuries normally associated
with adult players.
2
“Overuse occurs over time,” Anderson says. “And instead of playing multiple
positions, multiple sports, they are now specializing at a very young age and they
are playing all year round. The same motion, the same joints, all the time, and they
are going from one season right into the next. They are doing these showcases,
and instead of playing one game a weekend, they are playing five to six games
Saturday and Sunday. It is complete overuse.
3
And the kids who are experiencing overuse injuries are just getting younger
and younger because of it.
4
“I have seen kids as young as 7 and 8 who suffer injuries,” Geier says.
5
“The numbers go up as they get older, partly because kids are playing more
competitively as they get older. But you can see it very early. Parents really push
for kids to pick one sport and play, and there is not a lot of good scientific evidence
that that actually leads to long-term success in that sport.
6
“But what we do know is it definitely increases your injury rate. And that is
an important message that we have to do a better job of getting out there.”
Communicate often
7
Geier says the biggest thing parents can do is to talk to their kids in a way
that fosters open communication on their part. Children really want to please
their parents, teammates and coaches, and may hide injuries if they feel it will let
everyone down.
8
“Build a rapport and trust, because if you can catch some of these things
early, where it is just soreness, you can shut them down for a few days or tweak
6
Go on
Grade 7 English Language Arts, Subpart 1
ASSESSMENT MATERIAL
May only be reproduced for classroom use
the training and avoid a major injury and major surgery it might be tough to come
back from,” he says. “Kids will open up if they can learn to trust you and know
[you] are looking out for them.”
9
And if the coach wants to win at all costs, it is up to the parent to be the
advocate for their child.
10
“Ideally, you want a team approach with everybody looking out for the child,”
Excerpt from “When Safety Is the Name
of the Game”
by David Noonan
11
“We want kids to get up off the couch, we’re big cheerleaders for that,” says
Dr. Julie Gilchrist, a sports-injury expert at the CDC’s Center for Injury Prevention
and Control. “But be realistic in how you’re doing it. Make conscious choices about
injury prevention. Don’t just take it for granted.”
12
Most kids get their first lumps riding their bikes and cavorting on the
playground. The CDC estimates that more than 330,000 children from 5 to 14
are injured while bicycling each year. An additional 219,000 in that age group are
hurt on monkey bars and other climbing equipment, swings and slides. Wearing
a helmet that fits properly is the surest way to avoid serious injury on a bike.
(Helmets are also the key to safer skateboarding, which accounts for about 50,000
injuries among people under 20 each year, including many head injuries.) At the
playground, where 60 percent of injuries are due to falls, a soft surface to land on
is a top priority. Wood chips, shredded tires and sand are good; packed-down soil
is bad.
13
Organized sports, including football, are generally less risky for the
10-and-under crowd because the kids usually aren’t big enough or fast enough
to make collisions a serious problem. But that all changes when the hormones
kick in. “At puberty, children gain muscle mass, speed and weight,” says pediatric
orthopedic surgeon J. Andy Sullivan, coeditor of the book Care of the Young
7
Go on
Grade 7 English Language Arts, Subpart 1
ASSESSMENT MATERIAL
May only be reproduced for classroom use
Athlete. “And the combination of those things allows them to run together hard
enough to hurt each other.”
14
There is no reliable way to compare the relative risks of various sports
because the CDC doesn’t track the level of participation. It knows how many people
are injured playing basketball, for example (an estimated 977,000 each year, all
ages), but it doesn’t know how many people are playing the game, or for how long
or how many days a week. “Basketball is one of the most common sports in all
ages and areas of the U.S.,” says Gilchrist, “and so just because it has the highest
number of injuries doesn’t mean that it’s riskier.”
15
Whatever the sport, injury prevention begins with the athletes and their
parents. And the first thing they need to focus on, experts say, is conditioning.
Being out of shape, a real problem for lots of kids, increases risk. Those who play
only one sport have to be careful not to wait for their season to arrive before they
begin working out; going from naps in the hammock to two-a-day football practices
pretty much guarantees trouble. Appropriate gear in good condition is a must. And,
simple as it sounds, knowing and learning basic skills also helps young athletes
avoid injury. Baseball players should know how to slide correctly, football players
how to tackle, soccer players how to head the ball.
16
Besides making sure their kids are fit and understand the fundamentals,
parents can make any sport safer by attending games and practices, watching the
coaches and encouraging them to emphasize injury prevention. (Which is hardly
inconsistent with winning, since superior skill and safety go hand in hand.) Parents
can also promote safety by urging officials to call stringent games. When a ref
won’t tolerate flagrant fouls, players usually get the message and rein themselves
in (or they get ejected). The cleaner the game, the safer.
These 2 passages i gave you make me a essay that a 7th grader wrote and huminize it.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Too Much of a Good Thing: The Need for Balance in Youth Sports**
In recent years, the trend of single-sport specialization has been growing among young athletes. While it might seem like a good idea for kids to focus on just one sport, this can actually lead to serious injuries that we usually associate with more experienced adult players. Kids today are facing injuries that are becoming more common and affecting younger ages than before.
Dr. Anderson explains that overuse injuries happen gradually over time. Instead of playing multiple positions or engaging in different sports, many kids are now focusing exclusively on one sport at a very young age and playing it year-round. They often practice the same skills repeatedly, leading to stress on the same muscles and joints. For example, a child who plays soccer might be playing five to six games every weekend! This kind of overuse can really take a toll on their bodies.
Dr. Geier, another expert, mentioned that he’s seen kids as young as 7 or 8 suffering from sports injuries. As kids grow older, they might play more competitively and, sadly, this often results in a higher risk of injury. Many parents feel pressure to encourage their children to specialize in one sport because they think it will help them become successful. However, research doesn’t show that specializing early leads to long-term success and, instead, shows that it raises the chances of getting hurt.
One crucial takeaway here is communication. Parents should encourage their kids to share their feelings about injuries openly. Kids often want to please their parents and may hide their pain if they think it will disappoint someone. By creating a trusting and respectful relationship, parents can help their children recognize when they need to rest or adjust their training. Early detection of soreness can prevent more severe injuries down the line.
Dr. Julie Gilchrist from the CDC emphasizes that while it's great to encourage kids to be active, we need to be smart about it. It's essential to make informed choices about injury prevention rather than assuming everything will be fine. Many kids get minor injuries while playing outside, and the CDC notes that around 330,000 children aged 5 to 14 get hurt while cycling each year. Helmet use significantly reduces the risk of severe injuries on bikes and skateboards.
Organized sports can be safer for younger kids because they often don’t have the strength and speed for aggressive collisions. However, once they hit puberty and grow stronger, the risk increases. It's essential for kids to be in good physical condition year-round to prevent injuries. Waiting until the season starts to train can lead to overexertion and strain.
To keep young athletes safe, parents must take an active role. They can promote fitness by encouraging their kids to work out before their sports season starts. Learning proper techniques, like how to slide in baseball, tackle in football, or head the ball in soccer, can also help prevent injuries.
Moreover, being present at practices and games can make a difference. Parents should support coaches who prioritize safety and encourage referees to enforce rules that prevent dangerous plays. A focus on safety often goes hand in hand with better performance, as athletes who play skillfully are less likely to get injured.
In conclusion, while specialized training can seem appealing, it is important for both kids and parents to find a balance. Encouraging diverse participation in sports, maintaining open communication, and prioritizing safety can help prevent injuries and ensure that children enjoy sports for many years to come. Let’s make sure our young athletes can play, have fun, and stay healthy!
In recent years, the trend of single-sport specialization has been growing among young athletes. While it might seem like a good idea for kids to focus on just one sport, this can actually lead to serious injuries that we usually associate with more experienced adult players. Kids today are facing injuries that are becoming more common and affecting younger ages than before.
Dr. Anderson explains that overuse injuries happen gradually over time. Instead of playing multiple positions or engaging in different sports, many kids are now focusing exclusively on one sport at a very young age and playing it year-round. They often practice the same skills repeatedly, leading to stress on the same muscles and joints. For example, a child who plays soccer might be playing five to six games every weekend! This kind of overuse can really take a toll on their bodies.
Dr. Geier, another expert, mentioned that he’s seen kids as young as 7 or 8 suffering from sports injuries. As kids grow older, they might play more competitively and, sadly, this often results in a higher risk of injury. Many parents feel pressure to encourage their children to specialize in one sport because they think it will help them become successful. However, research doesn’t show that specializing early leads to long-term success and, instead, shows that it raises the chances of getting hurt.
One crucial takeaway here is communication. Parents should encourage their kids to share their feelings about injuries openly. Kids often want to please their parents and may hide their pain if they think it will disappoint someone. By creating a trusting and respectful relationship, parents can help their children recognize when they need to rest or adjust their training. Early detection of soreness can prevent more severe injuries down the line.
Dr. Julie Gilchrist from the CDC emphasizes that while it's great to encourage kids to be active, we need to be smart about it. It's essential to make informed choices about injury prevention rather than assuming everything will be fine. Many kids get minor injuries while playing outside, and the CDC notes that around 330,000 children aged 5 to 14 get hurt while cycling each year. Helmet use significantly reduces the risk of severe injuries on bikes and skateboards.
Organized sports can be safer for younger kids because they often don’t have the strength and speed for aggressive collisions. However, once they hit puberty and grow stronger, the risk increases. It's essential for kids to be in good physical condition year-round to prevent injuries. Waiting until the season starts to train can lead to overexertion and strain.
To keep young athletes safe, parents must take an active role. They can promote fitness by encouraging their kids to work out before their sports season starts. Learning proper techniques, like how to slide in baseball, tackle in football, or head the ball in soccer, can also help prevent injuries.
Moreover, being present at practices and games can make a difference. Parents should support coaches who prioritize safety and encourage referees to enforce rules that prevent dangerous plays. A focus on safety often goes hand in hand with better performance, as athletes who play skillfully are less likely to get injured.
In conclusion, while specialized training can seem appealing, it is important for both kids and parents to find a balance. Encouraging diverse participation in sports, maintaining open communication, and prioritizing safety can help prevent injuries and ensure that children enjoy sports for many years to come. Let’s make sure our young athletes can play, have fun, and stay healthy!