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Extra-curricular activities

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

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Original poster

Is this too much for a year 2 child?

45 replies

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:24

It’s another one of these threads.

DS will be in year 2 in September and wants to do the following. It feels like it might be too much to me but is less than many of his friends and he is super keen.

Mon eve: Swimming
Tues eve: Beavers (new)
Fri eve: cello lesson
Sat am: orchestra (new) and football training
Sun am: football match (new)

He also practises cello every day. School only sets homework once per week (other than reading).

He’s an enthusiastic footballer but not great at it so I’m wondering whether I shouldn’t sign him up for the matches (he can still attend the training)?

OP posts:

Marblessolveeverything · 12/07/2024 08:29

It depends on his energy levels. My eldest this would have been too much my youngest it would be half what he does.

I would keep the matches, that is where real skill is learnt. Also there is huge jumps in skills between now and teenagehood as their spacial awareness, dexterity and strategic skills kick in and can be improved on. Footie can be a massive advantage socially through the teen years.

Nori10 · 12/07/2024 08:30

I think it totally depends on the child. It would be too much for mine, but he's prone to getting overtired easily. If your child has the stamina for the activities and the enthusiasm, then I think it's fine. Nothing is set in stone, you can always adjust how much he does should you feel the need. Can be trial and error with these things.

PuttingDownRoots · 12/07/2024 08:33

Do you pick him up straight after school, or is in some sort of ASC?

It sounds exhausting if he's in a club until 5ish, then straight to an activity afterwards.

But if you are home from 3.30... plenty of time.

Will matches be weekly? How do the orchestra and football tines clash?

LimeFish · 12/07/2024 08:34

My DD did a similar amount in Y2 she's always liked doing activities.

Original poster

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:36

PuttingDownRoots · 12/07/2024 08:33

Do you pick him up straight after school, or is in some sort of ASC?

It sounds exhausting if he's in a club until 5ish, then straight to an activity afterwards.

But if you are home from 3.30... plenty of time.

Will matches be weekly? How do the orchestra and football tines clash?

He doesn’t do after school club - mix of me, DH and after school nanny collecting him (nanny would be the days he has nothing on).

I think the matches are weekly but he wouldn’t necessarily play in every match.

Saturday morning would be orchestra 9-10, football 10.30-11.30.

OP posts:

NuffSaidSam · 12/07/2024 08:37

Sounds fine to me.

It's about what they want to do, if he wants to do all that it's fine for him to at least give it a go. If he gets too much/he doesn't want to do it anymore then have a rethink. I don't see any reason to say no without even giving it a try.

If you don't want to do the weekend ones then I think it's also fine to explain to him that he has enough with the other ones and you'd like at least one weekend day with no activities.

Bilingualspingual · 12/07/2024 08:37

Mine has always done loads and has done since y2 and refuses to cut down. I think for some children, doing that amount of extra-curricular, if it’s all stuff they enjoy, IS relaxing and preferable to being at home. Mine has friends who do very little outside school and are happy with that so, as PPs say, depends on the child.
We’re led by ours but we keep a close eye and keep checking in.

Tdcp · 12/07/2024 08:38

It really depends on the kid, my daughter would really struggle with this however, my nephew has a similar set up and he loves it.

Original poster

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:39

That’s good to know about the matches @Marblessolveeverything - we signed him for football originally as DH never did it and felt he was at a massive social disadvantage.

He enjoys going because his friends do it but I don’t think it is really his “thing”, but I want him to have the skills to be able to join in a kickabout if he wants to.

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Twodozenroses · 12/07/2024 08:40

You can always try it and see how he goes. I agree with a pp that he would be best going to the football matches not just the training because that’s where they learn a lot of skills.

however, they usually have matches in different places each week so would you be able to get there in time from orchestra?

Original poster

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:42

Twodozenroses · 12/07/2024 08:40

You can always try it and see how he goes. I agree with a pp that he would be best going to the football matches not just the training because that’s where they learn a lot of skills.

however, they usually have matches in different places each week so would you be able to get there in time from orchestra?

Thank you - the training is on a Saturday after orchestra, and then the matches are on Sunday, so it should work ok.

The matches are the main thing I was hesitating about because 2 x football sessions when he’s not that good at it seems a lot! But I can totally see that the matches would really bring him on.

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EducatingArti · 12/07/2024 08:44

I think I'd let him try it and see how it goes.

The boys I know who have not been interested in football do tend to find it more difficult to keep social connection with other boys once they hit key stage 2, so if he is keen on the football I would let him give it a try.

Twodozenroses · 12/07/2024 08:46

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:42

Thank you - the training is on a Saturday after orchestra, and then the matches are on Sunday, so it should work ok.

The matches are the main thing I was hesitating about because 2 x football sessions when he’s not that good at it seems a lot! But I can totally see that the matches would really bring him on.

Show quote history

Oh sorry I misread that and thought they were on the same day. I would just try it. My dd is year 3 and this year has done rugby training, netball training and netball matches, singing lessons in school and drama. On the run up to the drama show she was tired because they did extra rehearsals but otherwise has been ok.

my older dc does football and wasn’t particularly great at 7. He’s 12 now and has come on so much. He loves his team and the matches- it’s been amazing socially too because he’s met so many friends through football which has helped when navigating high school.

RomainingToBeSeen · 12/07/2024 08:55

I would keep the football if you can. Team sports are about so much more than the sport itself.

It's the social aspect, learning to win and lose well, teamwork, resilience when it's cold and chucking it down and they still play, meeting other teams, shaking hands at the end of the game...

See how he gets on. If he's struggling then you might need to look again at his schedule but I don't think that list sounds particularly unusual at his age.

Original poster

PregnantNowScrewed · 12/07/2024 08:58

Thank you all - really good to know re the football - Im glad I asked about that as I think my instincts were wrong.

We’ll give it a try and see how it goes.

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Marblessolveeverything · 12/07/2024 16:20

@PregnantNowScrewed mine will never play county but the 16 year old plays 5 aside with community club, school and recently on a part time job team. So I do think it's a big advantage. I found it one of the easier activities demand wise on his head during exam years also.

Hermitreader · 12/07/2024 16:43

I like that there is a real mix of activities, Beavers, music and sport. I am always hesitant when a child is forced to go in just one direction at too early an age. If the football doesnt work out he will still have a range of other activities to fall back on.

Bunnycat101 · 13/07/2024 07:58

I don’t think too much but I have a very high energy child who does more (and probably does so too much). I agree with other posters that it is very child dependent. Some children need their down time and home time and others thrive doing a lot of stuff. Since having longer play dates with my daughter’s friends, you do start to really notice the different energy levels among children. I thought all were like mine until I had my second (much lower energy) and got to spend a lot of time with a range of her friends.

whathasitgottodowiththepriceofoliveoil · 13/07/2024 07:59

Saturday orchestra will be too much with the football

AppleCream · 13/07/2024 08:02

I think this sounds fine. My kids did lots of extra curricular activities and loved them.

Dragonsandcats · 13/07/2024 08:05

I would have also said keep the football for the social side. My ds went to a secondary where he didn’t really know anyone and lunchtime kickabouts always gave him people to hang out with!

DanceMumTaxi · 13/07/2024 08:11

Mine are both a bit older now, ds is y6 and dd y3 but they have both done loads (more than you’re suggesting) since they were really little. They really enjoy it, it’s fun to them, it’s exhausting for me and dh though. It’s better than them sitting at home on an iPad which is what ds would do all day if I let him. They have also made lots of friends too.

mustardrarebit · 14/07/2024 22:08

My daughter is going into Y3 in September, she has so much energy, she reminds me of a working collie or spaniel. Constantly curious and keen. She does:
M: 3 hours sport
T: Brownies
W: Swimming
Th: free
Fr: 3 hours sport
Sa: 3 hours performing arts academy
Su: 6 hours sport.

She also reads and plays piano daily and practices her sport at school all.playtime.long. My older and younger daughters have nowhere near her drive and energy though. Some kids just need to be on the go all the time. Give it a go for a term and see if he's managing OK.

faceofast · 16/07/2024 00:16

It looks fine to me. DD1 is the same age and does an activity every day, including an instrument so does daily practice too. She loves keeping busy and we also do trips out as a family at weekends.

I think the only thing I'd be careful of is filling up weekends - quite a few friends miss out on parties and play dates because of weekend activities. It also becomes hard to fit in family visits or weekend trips out to an attraction or to see a play. Our weekend classes are early so we can still fit in other things at the weekend.

Original poster

PregnantNowScrewed · 16/07/2024 09:37

Wow @mustardrarebit that is a packed schedule! How on earth do you manage it with other children?

My DC2 is starting preschool in September and doesn’t do anything yet but I’m already dreading coordinating their activities.

Thank you @faceofast - how much practise does she do out of interest? DS only does 10-15 mins but faffs a lot so can take 30 mins to do it. He does love it but it is a lot of effort for me 🤣

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