Children are a wonderful gift from God. The innocent wonder and awe of toddlers is something to behold. They only get to be that age for a short period of time. Let them enjoy it.

The other day I was out for a walk in my neighborhood. I saw a sign placed in the ground advertising a sports league for kids 3-13. Yes, they can begin at three years old.

You know from previous columns how I feel about sports. They are wonderful teaching tools for young people. But in my opinion, three is too young. At three, kids are in an “imprinting” period where creativity is developed. From 3-7 is when talents like art and music are developed. And their imaginative ideas are off the charts. Getting kids to learn the motor skills required in sports robs them of some of this time of development.

Let’s let kids be kids. The great athletes will present themselves later. Professionals have a rare talent that can’t be hidden. Kids will grow up soon enough…