7 year old doesn't want to do any extra curricular activities

[Rockybooboo]

Does a year 3 need to do extra curricular activities? She was doing swimming and Brownies but I pulled her out of swimming as they started lessons at school. She didn't like the Brownies that she was in as the leaders were old school but managed to get her into a unit run by someone she knows and likes. She now doesn't want to start there. She doesn't want to anything sporty or drama based. In fact she doesn't want to anything. She's doing well at school and seems to get on with her peers. She's an only child and her dad has become very insular and has no outside interests but he does have health issueservices. He thinks her being stuck at home is fine.

I don't think she necessarily needs to do structured activities, but she probably would benefit from doing more than just sitting at home. I would insist on some sort of exercise, even if it's just a quick scoot or walk a few times a week and would try to have friends from school over to play sometimes.

With the brownies, she could have been put off by her previous experience. I would probably insist she goes a couple of times to try it out but let her stop if she doesn't enjoy the first few sessions.

(this is my personal view) but i would try and encourage her to do something outside of school. if she doesn't want to do brownies, maybe a form of dance or gymnastics might appeal to her? or something a bit different like horse riding? all the best x

I wouldn’t force structured extra curricular activities, but perhaps be more productive in arranging play dates. Also is there something that you could get out and do regularly just the two of you, as some quality mother daughter time? If she isn’t interested in something sporty, some libraries run things like coding clubs, would she enjoy something like that? Or if you have a branch of Hobbycraft near you, they run craft workshops. Some children do just need more downtime than others though.

Thanks for all your suggestions. The trouble is her dad has become so insular that he doesn't like people cowing round. I have pushed for it to happen but it's stressful. I'm worried that he's influencing her. I'm unhappy but she adores him so breaking up the home would make it worse for her.

perhaps you could have a quiet word with her dad when she is not around? just explain that you would like her to take part in one extra curricular activity (explain that it helps her meet new people, gets to try different things, something out of school to enjoy so she is well rounded) and you would really appreciate if he could be supportive? it may also be worth sitting down with dd and showing her lots of different activities. (or reading her books themed around them- although this could take a while) then asking which one she would like to do. try not to give her the choice of not doing any. if she is enthusiastic about trying the new activity then her dad hopefully will be supportive of her.

i know i said before, but here are a few suggestions;

-dance (so many forms, ballet, tap, acro...)
-gymnastics
-horse riding
-judo
-woodcraft folk- i have linked the website which explains what it is. you could tell her that you will go with her and stay the 1st week.
-art lessons

all the best x