Not a ref, but love the game.

In all youth sports, there is a progression that takes place over many years. From smaller fields, less players on each side, putting a baseball on a tee, there are hundreds of examples across all youth sports and competitions.
The game starts as an 'general outline', and the game and rules enforcement tighten as the players skill, coordination, and brain power develops.

Officiating in basketball is no exception.
If younger ages of youth basketball was called by the letter of the law, there would be a lot of 2 to 6 type games, and a lot less players coming back to play next year. Baseball added a tee so players can hit the ball easier, which means more runs, and making more kids continue to play. Really younger basketball kids have an 8 foot goal in hopes of scoring more points, and keeping the kids involved with the game. If that means some travels are let go, incidental fouls aren't called, and a shooter crosses the ft line a little early, so be it. The more kids that play the game, the game and the talent level grow.