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Extra-curricular activities

How much is too much?

12 replies

Fullofthought · 29/08/2018 19:09

My 6 year old is currently doing the following each day
Monday nothing
Tuesday judo
Wednesday nothing
Thursday rainbows
Friday judo
Saturday swimming and gymnastics
Sunday nothing.

She is doing really well in school and in each of her groups is this too much, she's asking to do more!

OP posts:
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WidowTwonky · 31/08/2018 22:33

No, that’s fine. Not a lot at all really.
My boys 7 & 9 do sport everyday, including swimming and football training both on the same evening.

If she’s enjoying it then don’t worry and let her do more if time/money allows.

Many of my friends disagree though and wouldn’t/couldn’t commit that much of their own time ie watching/taxi-ing

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TabbyTigger · 01/09/2018 01:13

My 6yos schedule is similar but with some different activities -
Monday violin lesson then tennis
Tuesday KS1 choir then gymnastics
Wednesday nothing
Thursday gymnastics
Friday swimming
Saturday gymnastics and dance
Sunday nothing
When she’s 7 she’ll probably join Brownies and she’s been scouted for diving so she’ll have the choice to take that up at 7, but for now she’s very happy with and managing her amount. If your DD is the same I see no reason to add/take away anything Smile

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budgiegirl · 01/09/2018 10:39

I think it’s quite a bit, but if she’s enjoying it, and you are finding the ferrying about to be ok, then no problem.

I’m not sure I’d be too keen on her doing much more though, except perhaps school run clubs. I do think children need some time to just chill, watch tv, make their own entertainment, have time for play dates and tea with friends.

Also, I have three dc, so logistically it would be tricky, so that may be clouding my judgement!

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Didiplanthis · 03/09/2018 10:26

About the same as my DS. DD was similar at that age. She is now 8 and has got more serious about sport so is now doing it several hours 4 times a week plus brownies and music to keep a broad base. It feels alot but she's keen and happy.

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ABitCrapper · 03/09/2018 10:32

If it works for you and her then it fine.
In my situation that much wouldn't work as I have 3 children and logistically I couldn't have all 3 do different things each day, and it's not fair to them to hang around waiting for their siblings. I let mine do one instrument in school, one after school sport or club, and swimming (preferably at a similar time so not too much hanging around!).

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BiddyPop · 03/09/2018 10:38

At that age, DD did more, but a lot of them were in afterschool club:
At 6, DD did lots:

In afterschool club:
Playball
Spanish
(1 other that I forget now but sporty)

Afterschool in school:
Catholic instruction
She might have done 1 other ECA there - she was doing 5 ECAs a week at school by 3rd class and had moved to school's afterschool club instead to facilitate this
A mix of sports (hockey, gaelic football, soccer, athletics) and non sports (chess club, book club, guitar etc) over the years, and CI every year, with sport being the predominant factor

Outside school:
At 6 she was doing GAA and swimming
By 7, we had included hockey in the mix, and GAA was now twice a week
At 9, she added in Cub Scouts and sailing (both Saturdays) but dropped swimming
At 10 she dropped GAA as it was clashing too much with Cubs
At 11, she dropped hockey club but kept it on in school - as sailing was now Sundays as well (different club)

Now, at 13, she has:
Mon - Basketball
Tues - Hockey (and Scouts in boating season)
Wed - Basketball
Thurs - Hockey and Scouts
Fri - Zumba
Sat - School sports
Sun - Sailing

She might do speech and drama or public speaking next year, as she is very unlikely to keep up basketball (compulsory for 1st year, but she's short and also loves hockey).

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victoriabresnick · 03/09/2018 15:22

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Hersetta427 · 11/09/2018 17:29

Mine is 7 but does

Monday. Basketballl
Tuesday nothing
Wednesday basketball
Thursday nothing
Friday football
Saturday swimming and basketball
Sunday nothing

Not too much not too little

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Equimum · 19/09/2018 23:03

Sounds about the norm for children in my son‘s Year one class. He is nearly six and does:
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - French
Wednesday - horse riding
Thursday - (soon to be) Beavers
Friday - nothing
Saturday - swimming

After Christmas, he’ll also do football

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SoaringSwallow · 19/09/2018 23:11

I'd like mine to have more free time to play etc but he really wants to do more.
Mon - after school club (playing in a park or going in the forest or to beach)
Tues - football
Wed - piano and gymnastics
Thur - football (more of an organized kick around, not very serious)
Fri - nothing
Sat - nothing
Sun - skateboarding (not every week) and swimming

He wants to add free-running/parkour, judo, hockey and street dance!! Doesn't want to give anything up though so that's not happening!

He's full of energy though, and needs movement after sitting at school most of the day. If he becomes tired we'll drop the gymnastics or skateboarding.

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Longdistance · 19/09/2018 23:36

My dd (8)
Monday Brownies
Tuesday Choir
Wednesday nothing
Thursday guitar
Friday nothing
Either Saturday or Sunday horse riding

Dd (7)
Monday Brownies
Tuesday nothing
Wednesday karate
Thursday piano
And then nothing Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

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HairyToity · 02/10/2018 10:12

It's also affordability and age/number of siblings. I currently can't afford/ find time for more than 3 activities per child.

My oldest would happily do more.

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