Activities outside school (primary age)

kingfisherblue

Your son is only little at the moment, of course he is tired after school. Outside activities are nice, but only of the child actually enjoys them, and if he is tired, he isn't likely to have much fun. At 4.5 years old, I would consider putting his name down for Beavers, as there may be a waiting list, if you think he will enjoy it. Starting age is generally 6 years old.

My daughter tried several activities, mostly as a result of peer pressure, but got bored with most. She didn't like the repetitiveness of dance, gymnastics, swimming, etc, and only really settled down to an after school activity when she joined Brownies. She was eight at the time, and they haven't got rid of her yet - she is now a Rainbow and Brownie leader :rotfl:.

My sons are both older than your LO. One has severe disabilities, which limits our activities as a family at times. We are members of a local group that helps families with a disabled child have a social life by organising trips, soft play centre nights, holiday play sessions, etc. Other than this, my disabled son has singing group after school one evening a week (not sure how he manages this, as he cannot pronounce most words with any degree of clarity, and can onnly sing the last word of each line - and is late delivering that!).

My able bodied son has Airfix Club after school once a week, and Young Carer's once a week. Both go to the Deaf youth club each week as well.

They are 13 and 12, so a lot older. They did go to Beavers, then Cubs and then Scouts, but decided at Christmas that they didn't want to go to Scouts any more.

Don't worry about after school activities, you will be mithered enough for them in the coming years. If your son is like many kids I know, he will desperately want football/karate/fencing/insert activity of choice, and just as you think he has settled down and you pay the insurance for the year, or buy the uniform, he will change his mind :rotfl:

tiernsee

Daughter is 6 does Stagecoach (Saturday), Beavers (Monday) and tiny trampolining (Thursdays). She would like to do other things but am limiting it to this at the moment - I have said we will think about a netball club in September when she will be in year 3.

Son (aged 14) just does trampolining - previously he tried Badgers, karate, warhammer but didn't really get on with any of them.

I wouldn't force them into any clubs if they didn't want to go - but one rule we have is if they start a new club they have to try it for a minimum period, especially if there has been subs or equipment purchases.

property.advert

A few hours school is not enough for our little one. She was used to much longer at kindergarten. She does a range of activities 4 days a week though I suspect she will eventually cut that down or add another swimming instead of another activity as she starts moving up.

I think it is better to give them the opportunity to try what they want and if they like it then go with it until they don't. I don't see much use in depriving them of something until they are older and can only say "I wish I had had the opportunity to do that".

jackyann

I think that as a general rule, most kids aren't ready for "group" activities until about age 6 - and the most important thing is to treat each child as an individual.
I broadly agree about swimming, but also think that some kids just can't cope after school - some pools do an intesive course in the holidays. Some kids aren't ready to follow those sort of instructions until they are a bit older.
I would let things ride - if your local leisure centre does "taster" sessions in the holidays (usually good value) then try something your son is interested in.
But I would mostly leave it to him to tell you what he feels like and use your own judgement as to whether he is ready to cope.
My kids did only swimming lessons until they were 6. They then went to Woodcraft Folk - I feel very strongly that the experience of that kind of group activity, learning stuff like First Aid is what I still call "character building"!
I wouldn't rush into anything - but if you listen to your little boy, and take things at his pace, I don't think he will miss any opportunities.
It doesn't hurt either, to involve children in budgeting for these activities as it helps them to make careful choices. Sports clubs and organisations like Scouts / Guides / Woodcraft Folk are run by volunteers so cheaper than lessons run by professionals - but please be prepared to do your share - not just treat us volunteer leaders like the help!!!!!!

daveyjp

Swimming is worthwhile, but on the national scheme getting to stage 2 is quite easy, small pool and very little in terms of actual swimming to achieve, it is far more about water confidence. Once stage three comes it is much different, large pool which is much deeper and children are expected to achieve a lot in half an hour i.e. 10m swim with no aids. At almost six our daughter is the youngest in her swimming class by a couple of years and she struggles a little, but she is determined and gives is a go.

She also plays rugby on Sunday morning. A 90 minute session which she enjoys.

jackomdj

I agree with the swimming, our eldest did rainbows and has just moved on to brownies, dd2 is on the list for brownies (hopefully she will get a place, she can't start till she is 5) this is great as it covers lots of things and gives them a sense of belonging.

DS4215

peachyprice wrote: »

IMO the only 'essential' activity is swimming lessons, but that's just because I think every child should be able to swim properly and I never had much success teaching mine myself!

I would also add basic trampoline lessons as well. Many kids have them, and its a lot safer if your kid knows how to stop! (too many end up in casualty)

Let your kids try things out. If they enjoy it they'll want to do it more - even if its something "different" to the stereotype. They might end up doing swimming, dancing, football or something else. It does not matter what it is as long as it gets them active and helps them form relationships with their peers (and adults).

angelil

Rainbows/Brownies I loved and I would have probably carried on with Guides as well had our unit not been so badly run. A shame as it's relatively inexpensive and gives you lots of fun and life skills.

I'd agree on swimming being essential.

I also did a lot of other things but never all at the same time: horse riding, drama, ballet/modern dance, choir...

Choir was the only really long-lasting thing and I ended up doing it right through uni as well as in school. I regretted jacking in dance. The other two things I didn't care about too much. Drama I got to pursue anyway through studying theatre at school (again until I was 18) and while I enjoy horse riding and would do it, say, on a CenterParcs holiday, it's hardly a passion.

I'd say the main thing is to listen to your kids and, if you can possibly afford it, to let them try. I nagged my parents for piano/musical instrument lessons in general for years but they deemed it useless and so never even let me try. They gave way a little bit as I got older (I had vocal lessons age 14-18, but think that they were more easily swayed on that because of the choir; I also had keyboard lessons age 16-18 but never got very far with it; and I was eventually able to sit my grade 5 theory, but only because tuition was free through school), but the little I know about playing the piano and clarinet I have had to teach myself. I feel it's such a shame I was never given a chance with the piano in particular as you have more time for it when you are young and it is still something I would like to do today. As soon as I have the money (I already have the money for the piano; just got to save up for the lessons now!) I will be pursuing it. It is just worth letting your children try so that they won't have this level of regret about the thing.

flipper_72

I'm with most of the others, do what you and your child want to do. I am one of those other extremes, DD is 5 (Y1) and does gymnastics, cheerleading, football and recently added swimming after school. She wants to do tennis but i have said she needs to do it instaed of one of the other clubs not as well. DS was 3 last month and does football twice and swimming but doesn't start school til sept 2013 so not tired by these. I want my kids to try as many things as possible but there is no pressure, i was a national level swimmer and in adulthood tried cycling and wished i'd had the opportunity earlier as i made top 10 first year of competing but then chose to start my family so there is a bit of "what if". I'd like DD to do rainbows or brownies but at the moment she isn't bothered and enjoys the other activities too much.
For the person who had burn-out, that is a tough way to find out you are doing too much, i had it at 15 when training 17 hours per week but for most after-school clubs this shouldn't happen. Some of it may be "look what my kids do" but i would hope not, i just want to allow them access to as many things as possible, not necessarily all sporting.

cte1111

I think it depends very much on the child. My DD always needed lots of entertaining and so when she started school at 4 / 5 we signed her up for as many activities as possible! e.g. she did a school music group, ballet and tap, yoga, Rainbows and swimming. She's 9 now and does activities most evenings. I try and stick to the ones that the school offers in order to prevent myself turning completely into a taxi service, but she does love Brownies so we fit them in too.

My DS is a different kettle of fish, he likes to come home from school and play with me or watch TV. He's 5 now and although he's tried a few activities this year, he's not really that fussed. He does now do swimming lessons which he enjoys usually but he wouldn't be particularly bothered if he stopped them.

So I wouldn't condemn the parents of the very occupied children as showing off or whatever people have said above, some children do love plenty of different activities and are ready at earlier ages than others.