I need “extracurricular” suggestions for my daughter

[MarjoryDaw]

She’s 4.5 and started P1 last month. All going well so far. She is coming on very fast. Loves school.

I’ve noticed however that literally all of her friends seem to pack their evenings with swimming, dancing, gymnastics etc. DD currently has nothing. I have her on the list for Rainbows but she’s not 5 till late December. I feel bad that she has nothing.

We have tried dancing and gymnastics before. Like me, she clearly is not a sportswoman. She never really enjoyed it. She’s always been into her arts/crafts, loves her books etc.

We did swimming lessons when she was 3 but she really hated them. It got to the point she was crying in the car on the way there so I cancelled them and promised myself we would pick them up again when she was ready. So I was thinking about this as an option but it’s more out of necessity because I don’t think she will enjoy it.

Truth is there isn’t a lot around here. She seems to like music - is she too young to take up an instrument?

Or should I just leave well alone and let her find her own way 🤷🏻‍♀️

Between my dc they have tried over the years the following:

Ballet
Swimming
Jazz
Tap
Drama
Musical Theatre
Gym
Tennis
Football
Tag Rugby
Rainbows/Brownies/Beavers/Cubs
Cooking
Badminton
Athletics
Musical instruments (piano/trumpet/violin/drums)
Orchestra
Debating
Robotics
Choir
First Aid
Singing
Library Club
Youth groups
Lego club
Chess

That is over 3 dc, and they're all teens (or nearly) and some of them only lasted a term or less, so not as many as it immediately looks like, but perhaps gives you some more ideas.

Thank you that’s really helpful! I just seem to have drawn a blank.

Haha we tried ballet. What a disaster that was 🙈

At that age school is exhausting. We did swimming because they need the lifeskill. Nothing else until they’re old enough to ask to do it.

Does the school have any after school clubs? My son has just started Reception and so far does no activities but thinking of signing him up to something that might take his fancy (not sure what yet) next year.

@MarjoryDaw there are certain schools where literally all the parents are carting their exhausted kids off to clubs every single night and I've seen families who don't get home until 10pm often!

Honestly, don't feel you need to be drawn into peer pressure. As a PP says, when children start school they are often shattered. I didn't enrol any of mine into clubs until they were in year 1 and older.

If she wants to do something then restrict it to one club a week at the moment.

I would look into whether there are any after school clubs that might take her fancy. Although I know that in a lot of schools, the after school clubs aren't open to new starters.

Cheerleading.
Stagecoach, or drama.

I did wonder this. She is the youngest in her year and I am very aware of this. She is tired. She comes in and does her words and her writing for half an hour and she’s usually asleep by 7.30-8.

Don’t think the school has much for P1

I’d save your money until there’s something she wants to do. Just have a nice time together.

I'd look for a music teacher who does musicianship training with a bit of instrumental teaching at that age.

Look for teachers who do young children - Kodaly, Dalcroze and Suzuki are all methods that can work for young children. Colourstrings looks good but very localised!

Haven't found a group musicianship class for P1/English reception age.

Possibly look at folk music because it is taught by ear.

My DD is 4.1 and in reception (England). I'm going to sit on my hands for at least half a term before setting up any structured after school activities because overtired mess!

I don’t have children, but I have noticed that HobbyCraft does lots of kids sessions around this time of year (I have crafty nieces). Costs obviously depend on what they do, but a hobby might be something she enjoys more than a club.

I wouldn't worry about clubs this year but would start swimming lessons for her in the Spring.

At that age the only thing my daughter did was a half hour ride at the local riding school once a fortnight, something she had wanted to do since she could say 'Horse' and that was long before she was two!
(riding school comes up our road most days)

I think in the first term of school it can be good to do nothing. They are often tired, and tired little bodies need rest. I’d spend time with her at the park, reading, having play dates to help cement new relationships and generally getting used to a new environment.

My DD is now 8 and does a lot - swimming, ballet, brownies, drama.

She could try the ukulele. Or is there some art club around? I wouldn't worry much in reception though. Just try and have play dates sometimes and Lok out for anything that crops up that does appeal.