Soccer - are cleats needed for a 4yo?

[Winter Biscuit]

My 4.5 year old has expressed an interest in playing soccer, so we've signed her up for a 6-week class this summer at a local soccer organization. They said that cleats are optional "but preferred."

I have various thoughts on whether a 4 year old needs cleats or not. On one hand, I figure this is just an introductory class -- let's wait and see if she even likes soccer and wants to continue it before we worry about cleats. She's not going to be doing Mia Hamm moves -- she's primarily going to be running up and down a field with a bunch of other kids.

On the other hand, I tend to believe that it's important to wear proper attire, gear, etc. when developing or learning a new skill. For example, I wouldn't let my DD learn to ride a bike without a helmet and without a bike that was the correct size for her. I'm not sure if cleats for a 4yo fit in this same category or not.

Does anyone have any BTDT thoughts? Looking for experiences from anyone whose kids have taken soccer lessons -- cleats or not!

FWIW, money is not an issue -- if she will benefit from wearing a pair of cleats, even in an introductory class, then we'll get her some cleats. Just trying to get some input on whether they are NECESSARY.

[fuzzy]

Not a parent, but I'm a semi-retired soccer player and a coach for all age levels.

Are cleats needed? No, not really.

Do I prefer it when my kids, even the little ones, come with cleats? Yes. Primarly for two reasons: 1) It's hard to coach good form when kids where sneakers. Proper form when passing, dribbling, and kicking is toes up, heels down. Most sneakers are "wedged" -- that is the sole on the heel portion is thickers than the tow portion. Cleats/turf shoes are generally flat. It's almost impossible for a kid to learn proper form in sneakers, due to the wedge; and 2) Sneakers are surprisingly slippery on grass, especially when the grass is dew-y or wet. Cleats help. Most kids at that age aren't playing hard (so they aren't sliding into each other) and generally kids that age bounce when they fall, so again, they are needed...but they can help keep them upright. :)

You can buy relatively inexpensive synthetic cleats, but waiting to see if she wants to sign up for a second session won't kill her career. ;)

[bea_mama]

We skipped the cleats for my 4.5 year old DD's outdoor soccer league this spring/summer. We did buy her shin guards (pink!) and soccer socks. I also bought her a good pair of Nikes rather than the cute Keds-like sneakers she wears for every day playtime.

After watching the kids play for about 2 months now, I think we made the right choice in skipping cleats. They aren't really soccer pros yet. ;) They are learning the fundamentals and spend a lot of time running. I do think that if she continues soccer, we would buy her cleats at some point, just not this year.

[dal]

My DD is signed up for soccer for the Fall (she'll be in Kindergarten) and I also signed her up for a week long soccer camp this summer. I'm not sure about the town league starting in the Fall, but the soccer camp specifically says that her age group should not wear cleats. They do need shin guards though.

[jh124]

If you do buy cleats, check your local Craigslist, consignment store/sales, or ebay for used cleats. At that age, kids outgrow them really quickly, and they are only used for a few hours a week, a few weeks at a time.

[Delta]

All the kids on my kids' team had them.

[Winter Biscuit]

Just wanted to come back and post an update. My DD is in a co-ed class with about 10 or 11 kids. Only one child in the class had cleats, and he was dressed like a mini David Beckham. He was also one of the younger kids who probably wasn't 'ready' for a soccer class as he needed his mom to be on the field with him the entire time ;).

So far my DD loves soccer so I'll probably wait to see if she wants to continue. If so, I'm thinking I'll wait until she moves up to the next level (5-6 yo class) where things are a little more organized to get her a pair of cleats. Right now, she's in the 3-4 yo class and they primarily just run all over in a million different directions and there is very little "soccer" that actually takes place ;)

I appreciate all your feedback!