Ballet, Soccer, and Other Extracurriculars in the Preschool Set…
August 28, 2007 by Kerri Aldrich
Filed under General Play Library Goodies
Like I said before, the feeling of summer being over and fall pushing its way in is definitely being experienced around here (in every way except the weather—it’s still wicked hot here!). One of those signs is the return of my oldest to her weekly dance class. Actually, this year (her fourth), it has become “classes.” This is the first year that we’ve allowed her to take two classes, and that was provided that they both fall on the same night (I’m only doing so much driving each week!).
The return of dance reminded me of the past years when several of the students in the dance school were taking multiples of classes each. This was on top of school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. And, even more interesting to me, some of the kids were still pre-schoolers and were still being scheduled for several activities on several different nights of the week.
So, my question to you this week is, “How much is too much scheduling for a kid?” I know that I tend toward the, “possibly not enough” end of the spectrum as far as outside activities are concerned. I’m just fairly content hanging out at home with the kids and not doing much of anything organized. So much so that my middle, almost 4 year old, has yet to be a part of an organized sport or activity.
However, I also know that so many people comment on the rapidity of children growing up these days, and that they no longer seem to have time to just play and be kids. And isn’t our overscheduling of their time a big part of that problem?
What are your thoughts here?
photo credit: aussiegall
Totally agree! I think if you get them going to young on so many things you are putting the kids expectations high for later in life. When our son was just 4 we tried him in soccer bad idea. Was not ready for it! He needed more time to develop and have the desire on his own to play. Well there you have it! : )
Annie: Very true. I think they’ll really love something and desire to do it well when it’s something that they’ve chosen to pursue. Not that they can’t be challenged to try new things, but their own choices should be encouraged as well!