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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Best extra curricular clubs?

19 replies

louisacat · 26/09/2021 10:12

My ds is only 5 (yr 1) and until now hasn't done any clubs apart from swimming. His friends do a lot and he's asked to try some. I'm just not really sure what, do you just try a few and see where his interests lie? He's quite shy but keen to try everything. His school offer free after school clubs in tennis, rugby, karate and gymnastics, his friends all do football, I think he would be more suited to performing ones and he is quite musical, when do you start learning an instrument? A bit lost with all the choice.

OP posts:
Bunnycat101 · 26/09/2021 21:34

His school offers loads so that sounds amazing. I’d try some of those free ones and see what he takes to.doesn’t sound like you have much to lose if he doesn’t like them if they’re free. You could perhaps try Stagecoach or something similar if you think he’d like the drama/singing.

languagelover96 · 27/09/2021 09:33

I would request a up to date club list. I was in the same boat as you. You could sign him up for a couple in sports or the arts and see what happens. Ask to see a list of all the club options then tick or cross as you decide together.

Skysblue · 27/09/2021 09:45

At age 5 I’d do two clubs maximum, unless he’s extremely keen. He needs time for free play!

Cornishmumofone · 02/10/2021 17:57

Out of the ones the school offers, I'd pick gymnastics. If your son wants to go into dance/performing arts later, it'll be useful!

thirdfiddle · 05/10/2021 14:31

Nice offer from school.

It's really very up to him what he fancies trying first. I'd add one, at most two activities at a time and see how he enjoys it and if he wants more. If he likes the school clubs you may find he wants to find a more serious out of school equivalent e.g. gymnastics school probably don't have full equipment.

Music lessons are quite a big commitment as you don't just have the lesson, you need to practise regularly in between lessons. 5 is still young but some start younger- one of mine started at quite typical 7, the other at 3. Both still going (now 12 and 9), both added a second instrument later and assorted bands, so it can get very time consuming if they take to it. It does suit very shy DD, she is much happier to play than talk in public.

horseymum · 07/10/2021 18:42

For Music lessons it's often best to start around 7 although people do start younger. Singing would be good if you have anything local. Sometimes a local opera company or music school/ conservatoire will do fun community classes where you can do singing and maybe percussion etc ( like Jo jingles for school age children ). Our council did some Saturday classes years ago which were great at that age.

unknownstory · 08/10/2021 07:16

Sign him up for a few esp if free. Drop what he doesn't like. Mine do loads and a wide range but they love them all for different reasons. It's made them very confident & rounded

Original poster
louisacat · 08/10/2021 11:28

Thanks everyone. He's trying out a couple of the school ones and seems to be enjoying them but not hugely enthusiastic. We had a taster at a musical theatre school and he loved it so we will probably continue that for a bit and try out an instrument in a year or so.

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 08/10/2021 11:36

Bless him, he sounds adorable. Smile

I would be very much guided by his interests. Encourage him to try different things and see what he enjoys most. If he likes the musical theatre, then that's a great thing to start with. My 16yo dd has been doing performing arts stuff since she was very little and she absolutely loves it. I must say, I think musical theatre is a great hobby - it builds confidence, promotes good teamwork, and the social side of it is brilliant when they get older.

Just find stuff that he likes and wants to stick with. My guide for extracurricular stuff is that it's fine for them to be hard sometimes, but they should never feel like hard work for the child - it should be something that adds fun and joy to their lives, and not another chore on the to do list. It's usually pretty easy to see when they've found their niche!

Original poster
louisacat · 08/10/2021 11:47

alexashutup thanks, he is adorable! Quite shy so anything which builds confidence is good. He isn't typically boyish (eg still says his favourite colour is pink) and not so enthusiastic about football which all the other boys seem to do. Great advice about it adding fun rather than being another chore. The adjustment to year 1 from reception is already a bit overwhelming so don't want to add any more stress to his life!

OP posts:
unknownstory · 08/10/2021 12:11

I'd always try and include a sport. Often young kids opt out of sports early due to self confidence & not thinking they are any good. Then it becomes self fulfilling as they don't develop the core skills very well eg. Jumping, running, catching etc.
The confident ones who may actually may not be any good at a sport at 5 may then develop faster & go the other way. It can be a real barrier to other sports later.
I coach hundreds of kids and see it often.

Original poster
louisacat · 08/10/2021 12:41

unknownstory that's good to know. My son's school select pupils for sports' clubs in years 5 and 6 based on ability as well so worth putting a bit of effort in now.

OP posts:
unknownstory · 08/10/2021 13:05

It's always the 'sporty ones' & yet sports ability is as much taught and learnt as Inate. The best at sports are normally those that do them early and play lots - all sports. The later they start the harder it is

Purpletomato · 11/10/2021 11:40

Scouting. It provides such a variety of activities and a different set of friends. DS and DD do a lot of clubs and Scouting has made the most difference. Also usually good value.

EwwSprouts · 19/10/2021 17:59

Find him a cricket club in the spring. It's the best team sport when younger as everyone has to take a turn at every role in every match. The parents don't generally swear either, looking at you football Wink

Whatwouldnanado · 19/10/2021 18:07

Choir, musical theatre, dance will help his confidence.

WeAllHaveWings · 19/10/2021 18:13

I would pick one thing that is physical and one thing creative/performance.

Let him give them a go for 6-8 weeks and if he doesn't like then try something else, but keep to the balance of one physical and one creative/performance.

TeenMinusTests · 19/10/2021 18:14

re Musical theatre.
We never did termly Stagecoach as too £££ and too much time commitment.
But they also do holiday workshops, and in the summer holidays they did a 'musical in a week' which both my DD's enjoyed and did every year for years.

2reefsin30knots · 19/10/2021 18:15

If you have an Andrew Simpson centre near you I can recommend their Saturday morning sailing club. Sailing is great for building confidence, problem solving, independence, resilience, communication and loads of other things and you don't have to be a 'sporty' kid to get good at it.

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