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How many clubs / activities is too much for a 4 year old?

15 replies

Jdjdnshshshjc · 20/02/2023 20:55

DD has just turned 4, she currently goes to preschool 5 days a week, will be starting big school in September.

she currently does two clubs a week, one on a weekday afternoon / evening and one on Saturday.

im considering signing her up for another club, this one meets twice a week but then that would be clubs 4x a week and I don't want to overload her. Do you think that would be too much for a 4 yo?

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Emptycrackedcup · 20/02/2023 20:57

That sounds insane, when is she meant to relax and enjoy being on her own or with her parents and just chill out? It sounds like over stimulation imo but I'm also expert

AllOfThemWitches · 20/02/2023 20:58

That sounds exhausting even for an adult

bakewellbride · 20/02/2023 20:58

My 4.5 year old does Lego club after school, 1 hour a week.

The rest of the time he gets to just be a kid.

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Emptycrackedcup · 20/02/2023 20:58

Emptycrackedcup · 20/02/2023 20:57

That sounds insane, when is she meant to relax and enjoy being on her own or with her parents and just chill out? It sounds like over stimulation imo but I'm also expert

No expert!!

DelurkingAJ · 20/02/2023 21:00

Depends on the child! You’ll be told (we were) that she’ll be too tired for anything in Reception. We pulled swimming lessons and have bitterly regretted it as it took two years to get a spot again and then COVID hit. DS2 we were more savvy and he carried on with two and now three clubs and thrived. It helps that none of DS2’s clubs are at the weekend so he pootles around both those days.

GiltEdges · 20/02/2023 21:00

Sounds like she already does enough. DS is the same age and at pre school 5 days. The only extra curricular he does is swimming on a Sunday morning for half an hour.

ParentsTrapped · 20/02/2023 21:03

When my DC1 was in preschool she did football on a Saturday morning. First term
of reception we added swimming on a weekday evening and second term we added ballet, also on a Saturday. So she does 3 clubs now and is absolutely loving them all. She doesn’t do any after school club though whereas a lot of her peers do - I think she’d be a lot more tired if she did.

RobinGood · 20/02/2023 21:04

DD is 5, in Reception and does 3 activities a week (2 on weekdays, 1 at the weekend). They’re only 30 or 45 minutes long though and school finishes at 3:20pm so she still has plenty of downtime to relax at home too. She could have done more in her last year at nursery but school has been more tiring so I wouldn’t want to do any more at the moment. You could always give it a try and pull back if it seems like too much. You may need to reassess things in September anyway.

RobinGood · 20/02/2023 21:06

Oh, and she does after school club 2 days as well. Has taken it all in her stride tbh, I’ve heard of children being so tired at the start of reception they need to nap but I definitely didn’t have one of those!

newyearsamesh1t · 20/02/2023 21:27

My dd has been going to breakfast/after school club and extra curricular 4/5 times a week since she started school. We encourage the sporty activity as but she takes the lead if she is too tired. We make sure she goes to at least 3 of the classes each week, unless she is ill or really tired but I think it's good for children to have hobbies

Lkydfju · 20/02/2023 21:32

Yes too much, they’re exhausted when they start reception

lorisparkle · 20/02/2023 22:03

I personally think you go with the child. Ds3 was really enthusiastic about different clubs so we went with it.

Rahrahrahraah · 20/02/2023 22:41

What are her hours in preschool? If it's 8-6, then yes, clearly to much. If it's 10-3, then I think it's fine (unnecessary, obviously, but fine).

Livemenot · 18/11/2024 21:44

My 4.5 year old goes to P1 and then Russian language school for a couple of hours on a Saturday. I’m mindful he has enough time to rest, and to be creative in a more relaxed environment which is home or outdoors.

I think it depends on a child.

Lifeglowup · 18/11/2024 21:48

How many hours is she doing in pre school a day? Last year my 4 year old was doing 3 hours a day and was fine doing a cookery, gymnastic, swimmimg and a ballet lesson. Now she is in school she just does ballet and swimming.

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