how many extra curriculum activities for a just gone 4 year old?

[soontobemrsmckeown]

My dd just gone 4 does dance in a after school group on a Wednesday and swimming on a sunday morning now level 1 completed all 5 duckling stages since August last year. She is asking for Icescating lessons on a Saturday morning. Do you think this is too much? What do your 4 year olds do?

If you can spare the time/funds for ice skating, then it is a very enjoyable activity; I knew a girl started going to skating aged 2-1/2.

But I wouldn't spend too much on formal lessons, not at first anyway. Just let her stagger around to start with, and you go on with her (if you're brave enough!)

Is is REAL ice, or this modern 'plastic'?

My 4 year old does junior gymnastics once a week and I think that is plenty. She loves swimming but I just take her myself. I am resisting the urge to get caught up in dance school mania although DD would like to.

My older 2 are both very competent skaters and have never had a lesson. The best investment I made was to buy them roller skates aged 4 which they learned to use at home. This gave them the balance for skating and also ski-ing and snowboarding.

Why don't you try taking her yourself a few times and see how tired she is/whether she enjoys it enough to keep going. DD1 is 6 but has been doing dance, swimming, gymnastics and drama since reception. She never gets tired or wants to miss anything and would add more if she was allowed (she wants to try rainbows, choir and to learn an instrument but I've finally put my foot down and said no more until she drops something). It's expensive and I occasionally get sick of driving to all these things but she is very fit, has made loads of friends, has gained confidence and really loves all her activities so I'm letting her get on with it for now. If she gets tired or we can't afford it I'll make her drop something.

DD2 on the other hand swims and does ballet and gym but she does get tired so we might drop most of them for a while when she starts school. Every child is different in what they can manage.

It's fine. The only issue with weekend activities is it can stop you from having a whole day free every week e.g for weekends away, day trips etc.

My DD did gym, football, swimming, karate in reception and wanted to do more. Just do what suits you. At 6 most of her friends do 4-5 things a week

just go with the flow and see what your child wants. I know people often say kids are busy and need to relax after school, but mine never wants to relax, she always wants to do something, so she does ballet, swimming, gymnastics, music class. Some of the activities are group activities with friends and we combine with playdates before or after. If she is up for it, go for it. I wouldn't drag a reluctant child to activities but if they enjoy it, why not?