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Too often these days, parents feel they have no choice but to pack their child's schedules with adult-supervised, adult-driven activities such as organized sports. But, as a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes clear, such activities should not come at the expense of free and unstructured play, which is critical to healthy child development. More >>

Wait a second! Isn't the title for this article incorrect? Surely I meant to say, "When is Your Child Old Enough to Participate in Youth Sports?" No. I would like you to seriously consider a question that rarely gets asked: How does the age of your child affect you as a parent watching your son or daughter compete? More >>

The job of a parent of a youth athlete is multi-faceted. Through her child's sports career, chances are a mother will need to be a:

• Chauffeur

• Short Order Cook

• Trainer

• Locker Room Attendant

More >>

Dr. Carol Frey, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UCLA and Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at West Coast Sports Performance in Manhattan Beach, California, says parents should remember the following when shopping for their children's shoes: More >>

With the Games Based Approach to teaching sports, all aspects of the sport, from the basic skills to more technical moves and strategies, are taught in the context of fun, yet instructive, games. Players practice skills with creative exercises. The Games Based Approach differs from more conventional methods of instruction, characterized by lining up and standing around, which relies on repetition. More >>

More and more parents are getting their kids involved in organized sports even before they start kindergarten. Is it a good idea? Are they ready? Does it help them get a jump on the kids who don't start as early? Are we just setting them up for early burnout? Besides asking experts and professionals what they think, MomsTeam wants your input. Have a story, a point of view, or some advice about sports for the pre-school set you want to share with other moms? E-mail us .

An interesting and useful way of thinking about the development of the young athlete has been proposed by Jon Hellstedt. Because it is impossible to look at the development of the young athlete without also taking into account the changes experienced by the parents and siblings, Hellstedt looks at the development of the young athlete as an issue for the entire family.More >>

Because most children and teens eat a lot of snacks, their nutrient content may go a long way in determining whether their nutritional needs are being met. Here are some healthy snacks to provide your child (or to encourage them to buy in a vending machine or at the local convenience store). More >>

Here are what experts, including the Consumer Federation of America's child safety website, recommend when buying a bike helmet for your child. More >>