What age to start extra-curricular stuff?

[herbaceous]

Hello

I have a four-year-old, who's just started reception. I didn't sign him up for any activities after school, as a) I was anticipating he'd be tired, and didn't want to overface him, and b) I didn't know what he'd be doing at school each day.

As he doesn't seem to be a) remotely tired, and b) doing anything specific on particular days, I'm thinking about giving him something to do after school one or two days a week.

Is this too young? Or is it best to get him started on music, etc, while he's such a sponge? He loves music and dancing, his singing has been remarked upon by those who seem to know about it, and loves 'putting on a show', so I'm wondering about some kind of drama club. However, the idea of Stagecoach scares me a bit - is it all full of pushy mums with poppets in side ponytails?

Swimming is what I really need him to do, though naturally he's less keen on that idea.

And gymnastics - he really enjoyed a taster class we did in the summer hols, and it would be good for him to have a sport he excels at. He's blind in one eye, so is never going to be great at most 'boys' sports like football and cricket.

So, which ones? Any advice?

My DS was 4 in August and has just started reception.After school he has a 30m swimming lesson one day and 30mins trampolining another day.He still doesn't go to sleep until 9!By Friday he is quite tired but can easily manage these activities so give it a go!

If your child is interested in music and is clearly not too tired after school then I think it is fine to do some 'extra curricular' classes. Just look for ones that aren't too pushy.

My DS had swimming lessons from 6 months, for me swimming is an essential skill for children to learn so I would recommend that.

He also did a little French class from about 3 hasn't really helped him now he is learning French at secondary school though .

There is no right or wrong answer here, it's entirely up to you, your child and your budget - and what is available where you live. My DS is an only child so I was keen desperate to get him out and about and involved with other children from a very young age.

Both my DC started with swimming around this age.

If possible try an evening/afterschool earlier on in the week or maybe a Saturday morning depending on what suits your family.

See how you go with that and then after Xmas/Summer term I would add something else perhaps?

In year 1 the work does step up a little so be careful not to over commit yourself. Be guided by your child and your family situation.

This approach has worked for me and my two kids 9 and 6).

Good luck

Thanks all. He's my only child too, and I'm aware that while I do want him to make lots of friends and not be lonely, I won't want to fill his every waking hour with 'improving' activity. I remember that happening to me, and I did resent it.

It's going to be hard to resist - I'm keen on him learning the piano, too, but maybe that's one for next year.

The Stagecoach classes round here are on a Saturday morning, so that and some Monday/Tuesday swimming lessons would probably do...

He does Mandarin at school (yes, really) so that will do for languages at the moment.

There is no right or wrong - it's what you can afford, what you can fit in to your day, what's available that is convenient for you, and how tired he is, or how enthusiastic he is.
Generally I'd say leave the music until they are about 7, but swimming is worth starting now, but I guess that's just my opinion.

My twins started a lovely Saturday morning Drama class at our local theatre when they were in reception. They're in Yr 3 now and have moved up to the junior group of the youth theatre. I much prefer it to something like Stagecoach or PQA - check if there's something similar where you live. They were also doing swimming & gymnastics after school in Yr R. They've dropped swimming now and do drama, gymnastics and choir (also at the local theatre) after school on different days.

Wait until for music lessons and then let him choose what he is interested in not what you want him to learn. At age six he can join beaver scouts. Start with swimming. There may be other theatre groups around that are cheaper than stagecoach.

My ds's are 5 and 3.

Ds1 has dance class after school on a Wed for half an hour (ran by the school)...ds2 will be able to start this also when he's in Reception next September.

They both have football practice for an hour on a Friday. Then they have swimming for half an hour on a Sunday morning.

They're also both learning piano at home (with me as teacher...so very basic, very ad-hoc and is viewed by them as playing) and are about to start karate lessons, which are for half an hour on a Wed.

I have four children who all started dancing before they started school!

Swimming is a good thing to start at this age especially if he still has energy after school.

You might struggle to find a piano teacher who will take a 4 year old.

You might find there is a waiting list for swimming and gym.

I think you would do well to research what is actually available to you locally, as this will impact a lot on what he will be able to do.

There's nothing wrong with going along to stagecoach and any other activites for a taster session. Then you will be able to see for yourself what ahem, the clientele is like....

Hey Herbs.

I'd always recommend swimming; I think it's an essential life skill, really, and I always felt sorry for kids who'd go to pool parties or holiday pools and spend the whole time clinging to the side. Mine started while at preschool (as soon as they were allowed in without me; I can't be doing with that "mum and toddler splash" palaver).

On the sporty side, DS did Saturday football from the age of 4, but it was a friendly arrangement run by a few of the school dads. The DDs did ballet from a similar age (well, it was just capering about in an expensive ballet outfit pretending to be snowflakes really). None of mine have any musical interest, so can't help you there.

You are right not to overload him in his first term, though. It's a long old slog to Christmas, even for older ones.

Mine did swimming and youngest DD did ballet and elder DD did an exercise to music club at the school when they were in reception. DD1 did piano at 6 and violin and choir at age 7. DD2 was doing 3 types of dancing by age 7. However, it really depends where your child's interests lie and what they are prepared to do. Mine were not tired by being busy and children with lots of energy thrive on suitable activities, especially if they like being with other children. We also had Brownies. I had children who never gave up anything either!