So, what classes/courses/activities are worthwhile and what are just gimmicks for under 5s?

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I have had leaflets/adverts thrown at me from every angle and can't seperate the 'we will make your child a genius, just give us £200" types from the ones that might actually be worthwhile. DS is just 4 and I think he would enjoy something outside of pre-school (15 hours a week). Football is a given really , as is horse riding. I did music from a very young age and I do have to say it was really very good, but is 4 too young? What about Kumon, drama, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining, Muzzy (language course) etc?

We have Muzzy, wasn't worth the money I feel. Gymnastics is good, I find its not as gender split as other classes and good basis for lots of other sports. DD did Rubgy Tots for a while, but was the only girl and she didn't want to continue. But was a great course if you are into rubgy (DH is Welsh, so the only ball game allowed in our house).

I would say everything under 5 is a gimmick, do it if you want to get out of the house with your preschooler or you want to socialise and don't know many people, but I don't think any of them would be "worth it".

When my dc were tiny we said the ONLY thing we wanted them to do young was swimming, cos we spend a lot of time around water. We took them, week after week after week after year. And the children who started at 5 or 6 were better than them within a term anyway.

What's necessary for under (and over) fives:
loving family, good nutritious food, sound sleep, mummy or daddy who really engages them and tells them about the world and all the interesting things in it, good books to be read to and read himself/herself later on, lots of outside active play time.
Bedtime cuddles and kisses
All the fluffing about with activities, groups, courses is pointless; tiz' my not so humble opinion.

They're all worth it for entertainment, keeping them busy, and wearing them out. Pick the ones you think they'll like best.

i'm with Rollmops and Fennel really. If they need to burn off excess energy, then fine. Otherwise wait 'til they are a bit older and ask to do something.

as somebody who used to work at Kumon, I can honestly say, please don't send him to Kumon!!!

Death by Worksheet.

Think I'll just be repeating the above tbh. Under-5's don't need any of the activities. But you may need them as an excuse to get out of the house, or meet new friends, or just to tire the little critters darlings out. I take dd to gymnastics and to swimming, but it really is so that we have something specific to look forward to in the week. I doubt she'd be fussed if I stopped it tomorrow!

What's Kumon? Sorry to be a dunce, but I've honestly never heard of it before

Kumon is an outrageously expensiveactivity where your child goes and does worksheets (Maths mostly, but English too) and they have homework every day. It's pretty much the same thing every day, tables/mental maths, and you write their times down so you see them 'improve'. There's no real teaching, it's just repetition! Really you can just get a workbook or flashcards and do it yourself.

Don't get sucked into worrying about doing "improving" stuff at 4!!

we have only done tumbletots and all my 3 dc really enjoyed it. Its nice when they are little because its something you do together. we just found it was a nice bit of physical activity during cold indoor months too. DD did ballet and tap when she was 3 and it was a waste of money because she was just too young really. Don't try to do 'improving' stuff just do things you all enjoy- whether thats a swim, walk, play in the park etc. they have plenty of time for all the other stuff when they are old enough to express a preference for what they are truely interested in.

Everybody who says that no child under 5 (maybe older imo, maybe 7) needs courses is right.

However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do them to get out of the house, be sociable, and have fun. So that knocks Muzzy and Kumon off the list. Too academic for a 4 yr old.

I did Tumbletots with DS1 which was good for developing his motor skills, and it gave him the opportunity to try out different activities but it wasn't vital (although as it turned out he is dyspraxic so maybe it was more useful for him than other children). There was also the turn taking stuff. Art and music classes were good only because I didn't have to put up with the mess and noise at home but again not really anything other than a bit of fun.

If you think you might find a course fun, (and you have the money as they aren't cheap) do it but don't bother if you don't fancy it.

Swimming is the one I'd prioritise.

Agreed that there is nothing that you need to do, but if there is something your child would like to do, and would enjoy - well, that is worth its weight in gold.

My DD 3 1/2 goes to gymnastics for 45 mins a week and to a dancing class (ballet/tap) for an hour a week. She utterly loves both and they really are the highlight of her week.

She has learnt lots of specific skills from both, skipping, hopping etc and then she has also learnt more generic skills like learning to concentrate (teacher shows them what to do, and then they do it), make friends with a wider range of people (different ages) and she has gained confidence. When she comes out of class having walked along the beam by herself for the first time, feeling so proud of herself, her confidence soars. However, by far the most important benefit to her hobbies is that she spends 1 3/4 hours a week thoroughly enjoying her two little hobbies and that is worth every penny.

Being honest, the vast majority of children and adults are not going to take their hobbies anywhere - so there's 'no point' to them either. But they are an outlet for the child or adult to relax, and do something they enjoy for a little while. Most hobbies have no point to them, they're just a bit of fun - so if your child enjoys a hobby and gets enjoyment from it - that's the point of a hobby, whether the person is 3 or 33 imho!

Swimming I feel has been worthwhile but expensive, I now have a 3 year old that can swim a width on her front and back without floats or any help.
Also go to a movement to dance class which is government sponsored and costs £0. Its excellent it gets the children up and active improves coordination and confidence. My DD loves both