Clubs for 4 yo

[mumsthewordi]

Hello

My daughter just started reception , she's the youngest in class being an August baby - after a little separation anxiety and tiredness from long days .., she's loving it.

What I wanted to ask is , how soon is it for clubs ? And how many is too many? I want her to try just one Saturday theatre school because she loves singing and dancing and her school doesn't have a club like it.

Or should weekends be for rest in these early days ?

Mine started a Saturday musical theatre club at 4 and many years on they still adore it (in older groups now) and it's been wonderful for them. I'd try it and you'll soon know if they're not ready for a weekend club.

My daughter started Rainbows just after she turned 4. She loves it. She also started football earlier this year (they briefly did it at school and she really enjoyed it), she’s 5 now. She’s really enjoying football too. Both are on weekdays after school. She’s a July baby so also one of the youngest in her class. She started Rainbows the same week she started reception and she didn’t seem to be particularly more tired afterwards.

Thank you
Before having kids I can't believe how much I judged mum's for this , without realising if it's something you can do, how amazing an opportunity it is :)

I'll give it a go

Why were you judging other mums before you had kids re activities? Lots of the others will have been doing activities since toddler-dom so starting at 4 is not unusual at all. I think little ones can often be a bit tired immediately after school but you don’t have to protect the weekend for rest unless you’ve got a child that really needs a lot of downtime. You’ll be at parties most weekends soon enough.

For being pushy?

My youngest did ballet from 2 and swimming at almost 4 so was doing those two at that age. Were both only 30-45 mins so very doable.

4 is easily old enough to start a club and for the child to reap lots of benefits from it. My 4y/o does extra curriculars 4 times a week - 2 ballet classes and a swimming class on weekdays and a music class at the weekends. She’s been doing them all since she was 3 or earlier. She’s absolutely thriving in them, says they’re the best part of her week and gets sad when each class finishes. She still has time for parties/playdates/downtime at the weekend.

I did judge other parents a bit thinking surely it's harmless but also pointless at 4. Dc starred a club at 4 and wasn't keen but a different one at 5 and loved it. And with dc2 I'd be happy to join that club at 4. I think many are fun and help teach new skills and get used to instruction and build confidence.

I'd start with one and just wait a bit and maybe introduce 2. Don't worry if they don't like the 1st one, you can always change.