Which activities are, in your opinion, worth it?

[Sorelip]

I never took part in any extra-curricular activities when I was a child. DS1 only turned 2 in December, so obviously he won't be starting any activities just yet, but I want to do my homework before signing up for anything in future. I'm not sporty, musical, or anything really, so I have no real bias.

So, in your opinion, which activities are worth doing?

[Thumbwitch]

Maybe it depends on the individual children, Nancy?

I certainly didn't find them a waste of time for DS1, who started just prior to his 4th birthday - they helped him immeasurably in terms of reducing his fear of the water and especially of going underwater, something we couldn't do for him at home. Being in a class with peers who were not afraid did far more for him than we could.
Getting him to feel more at home in the water was a primary motivator, rather than getting him to actually swim - now he is just 6, he is able to get himself around the pool very effectively, if not prettily, and loves being thrown in, going underwater, messing around and so on. Just as well as we have our own!

DS2 is going with me to mother and baby swimming (Or Mums and Bubs as it's called here in Australia ) and he just loves "swimming" - not so keen on underwater but is very keen to get going. I don't like to have him on my own in our pool because I am not particularly confident myself; so won't "swim" with him at home unless DH is around. Going to the class means that DS2 also gets regular exposure to the water. But our local pool is only open September to the end of March (outdoor pool) so I'm considering taking him to an indoor pool further away in the winter months. Might not manage it though, I need the class time to motivate me to go!

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

DS is 5 and starts kindergarten in September. He does Spanish and gymnastics weekly. We live in SoCal where Spanish is spoken everywhere so it seemed silly not to take advantage of this; he does an immersion class so they're not sat down "being taught", they have four hours of singing, arts and crafts, workbooks, activities, lunch and playtime but are only spoken to in Spanish, no English used at all. I don't expect him to become bilingual but think him being exposed to another language should make it easier for him to generally pick languages up later - and he loves it. Gymnastics because he had low confidence in his physical capabilities and this has really helped.

He was doing swimming for a while but even though he loved being in the pool he hated the lessons so we've taken a break and I'm searching for an intensive week or two semi or private lessons for him to do. I don't view swimming as a fun activity, it's imperative from a safety POV as we live by the ocean

He is desperate to play guitar but all teachers I've spoken to have advised not starting til he's 6/7. He refuses to consider another instrument so I'm happy to wait though think I'd prefer him to do an orchestral instrument for the social aspect as well.

DD is 2, about to start swimming, will do Spanish when she turns 3 and I need to find some physical activity for her, probably a similar gym class but she's more physically confident than DS and has better rhythm than him so might find a toddler dance class? Or just leave her be for another year! We're in LA and the pressure for our DC to be enrolled in everything going is intense

[cheminotte]

Forest school has already stopped in Y2 here so no substitute for Beavers.

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

I would find a fun movement/multi-sport activity for pre-school age. Get past the first term (or 2) of school without any as they're usually knackered then start swimming lessons. At 6 he can start Beavers which is brilliant & very reasonably priced. By 6/7 they can usually start cricket which runs through the summer months (& football or rugby in winter if you can face standing pitchside in the winter ) . At 7/8 I would try & enrol him for music lessons ideally during school time. If he's not the running around getting muddy type then dance/gymnastics might be a better option but I would start anything serious too young.

we've tried various different activities at different stages, this is what I would do if I had another DS.

[PlainBrownEnvelope]

I think it really depends on the child and their interests so on that basis I don't think there are 'must haves' and ' waste of money's.

[Preferthedogtothekids]

Swimming and gymnastics definitely! even if your child doesn't want to be an Olympic gymnast, the body conditioning and coordination required for gymnastics will help massively with any future sports.

As for an instrument, I would say piano is a good one for learning how music works.

[Sorelip]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it. I love the idea of Beavers, piano, swimming and a sport or martial art, depending on what DS is interested in doing. I also like the idea of gymnastics.

[Theas18]

Swimming definitely.

After that follow their interests. I think the most important thing is to do something ( maybe even do lots of things) out side of school. Develop a degree of " stickability" when a skill gets a bit tricky etc.

Interests that fit with the family are great but sometimes you have to run with a " maverick" child. Ours was DS playing rugby LOL (actually rugby was a terrible dilemma, he loved it but injuries were predictable, frequent and serious enough to loose time from school for etc. He's not playing this year -year 13- because of concerns re impact on A levels)

Music has been amazing for all 3 of ours. They aren't " gifted" but may have some talent, and have done a lot of it and gone far. THey've gained skills that will take them into adult life eg DD1 has a choral scholarship at uni- beats washing up in a bar to earn a few quid and has given her a "choir family" at uni.