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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

Is my 4 year old doing too much?

57 replies

Morgandetoi · 28/11/2021 09:01

What do you think is the correct amount of activity’s for a 4 year old?

She isn’t at school yet and is at pre school 2 days a week, but I worry she is doing too much at a young age.

Monday
Gymnastics- 1 hour 10.45-11.45
Swimming training -1/2 an hour 7.00-7.30pm
Tuesday
Swimming lesson - 1/2 hour - 11.30-12.00
Wens
Pre school 9-4
Swimming training- 1/2 hour 7.00-7.30pm
Thursday
Preschool 9-4
Friday
No activity’s
Saturday
Ballet and tap - 1hour - 9-10am
Sunday
No activity’s

She also wants piano lessons and horse riding lessons but I worry she is already doing too much? She absolutely loves all of these activity’s and happily attends. She also still has afternoon naps on the days she’s not at preschool school.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
peboh · 28/11/2021 09:03

That does feel like a lot, but if you're all happy with it for now then I don't see you the harm. However when she's in full time school, you'll probably want to cut back to one or two activities a week, otherwise it'll just be far too tiring for her.

squee123 · 28/11/2021 09:08

That swimming training seems very late for a child of 4. Most kids are in bed by the time it finishes.

Bobbybobbins · 28/11/2021 09:08

I think it seems ok given she is not in school full time yet - would advise cutting back if she is feeling tired once she starts. I wouldn't add any more on - maybe she could choose? Or try out a taster for the new activities?

hidinginquote · 28/11/2021 09:18

I think if she's happy doing it it's probably fine, but I agree with previous poster that the 7.30pm finish seems really late, my 4 year old is pretty much asleep by 7.30 (also not yet at school)

Hollyhead · 28/11/2021 09:19

A 4 year old doing swimming training? That’s very unusual!

I personally think it’s a ridiculous number of activities and very pushy, but all children are different so as long as she’s enjoying it!

Wormsarecool · 28/11/2021 09:20

I would cut back to one swimming lesson a week I think but otherwise fine. Out of interest, what is swimming training compared to lessons? That’s the bit that would worry me at 4 I think.

Notnastypasty · 28/11/2021 09:21

If she’s happily doing them then I’d continue. At age 4 my daughter wanted to have a go at everything - some hobbies just fall away when they’ve had enough of it, I’m sure she’ll let you know if that’s the case.

Helenluvsrob · 28/11/2021 09:28

What standard is she swimming at. That’s a huge amount of “ swim training “

RhubarbFairy · 28/11/2021 09:30

Swimming training at 4? To what end? Does she want to swim competitively or do you want her to? Are you in the UK as the minimum age for competitive swimming is 9.

I'd say that the evening activities are too late and would drop to one swimming lesson a week. If she's training, then she's a high-quality swimmer and will presumably be in a high grade anyway.

Piano and horse riding can be done at a more suitable time for a 4 year old. If she's still needing a nap on non-preschool days, she's akeady burning out. When she starts school, she'll be even more tired.

KingJeremyTheWickedd · 28/11/2021 09:32

I’d agree with the other posters that swimming ends quite late for a 4 year old. Is there a reason she does so many lessons/training sessions?
If she wants to try other things and you can afford to do so, I’d cut swimming down to one session a week to allow more time for others.
I think it’s great she has days where there are no planned hobbies, it allows some rest and impromptu activities

MeltedButter · 28/11/2021 09:33

The amount sounds fine but the swimming lessons seem too late. My almost 4 year old goes to bed at 7:15pm.

MeltedButter · 28/11/2021 09:34

Sorry almost *5 year old

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 09:35

I would cut back. I wouldn't put all your eggs in the swim basket at 4 either as you say she will want to try other activities too. We have a fab swim club and people tend to join 7-10 and easily get up to speed. I wouldn't want to do that level of swimming too young so you get a chance to diversify and not spend all childhood swimming!!! I'm not sure I'd respect a club having a 4 year old train that late tbh.

Also bedtimes?! It's good to chill for a bit before bed and once she is at school that won't be sustainable.

Whinge · 28/11/2021 09:35

If she's still needing a nap on non-preschool days, she's akeady burning out. When she starts school, she'll be even more tired.

I was coming on to say similar. An afternoon nap at 4 is quite unusual and if it's happening 5 days out of 7 then I think she's doing too much.

I'm also confused by the swim training. It's very late, and seems quite a big commitment for someone her age.

ellenpartridge · 28/11/2021 09:36

I also have a 4 year old who does gymnastics, swimming and dance. She is in full time school and does each of her hobbies 1 x a week.

I think what you're describing is fine while she is in preschool a couple of days but prepare for the likelihood she will want to drop some of this when in school.

Also agree the swim training sound way too late. If she still has a nap at her age thats pretty unusual at age 4 and obviously won't be possible during the school day so I think she is going to be mega tired when she suddenly has school and no nap, so the evening activities are likely to be a struggle.

I wouldn't add more activities at the moment.

Classicblunder · 28/11/2021 09:36

Given that she is only doing 2 days of preschool it seems fine, given that many 4 year olds are in reception 5 days a week.

Mine would not cope with 7pm swimming but maybe with the nap it's ok

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 09:50

I would stop the 7pm swimming and get into a sleep routine so she gets enough sleep in the day and doesn't need to nap.

And then why not try horseriding and a childrens music group?

Right now you have the time to try new things and once she starts school there really isn't any time.

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 09:51

Presumably you'll increase the preschool hours leading up to her starting school too?

yikesanotherbooboo · 28/11/2021 10:02

I don't suppose it matters as she isn't at school as long as she is having fun. My most active child was still napping at 4 as were my nephews so I don't necessarily think that is abnormal. If she doesn't finish swimming until 7.30 she won't be in bed until 8 or so which sounds late.
When she starts school what are your plans?

furbabymama87 · 28/11/2021 10:58

Far too much, not even in school yet and she's doing all that.

furbabymama87 · 28/11/2021 11:02

I also find it a bit strange that a child of 4 is requesting piano and horse riding lessons. Unusual

HumunaHey · 28/11/2021 11:14

That's definitely too much imo. She also might find it difficult when she starts school ft and will certainly need to cut back on so many activities.

careerchangeperhaps · 28/11/2021 11:54

Yes - way too much. And no four year old should be swim training at 7:30pm. What time does the poor child go to bed? Mine were in bed by 6:30 at that age and they needed that amount of sleep too.

WoodenReindeer · 28/11/2021 11:56

More common to have a go on a pony somewhere surely? But that could be a fun occasional activity at this stage? We could do pony rides at a few places locally.

MenaiMna · 28/11/2021 12:00

Can you find a stables that would do a week of horse riding lessons as a "summer camp"? Something to look forward to without interfering with current activities. And as pp that's a lot of swimming unless the rest of the family are already club/competitive/coaches.