Physical games for Kids on Mondays, dance on Tuesdays, guitar school training on
Wednesdays, chess on Thursdays, karate school on Fridays, and golf lessons on
the weekends. That’s no exaggeration. Many children today have way too many
extra-curricular activities undertakings on their plates.
By the time they are hurried
from yoga to school to home to tennis court and back home, and finish their
home work, the clock would have struck bedtime. Too several extracurricular can
be just as bad as too little.
While extra-curricular activities
can benefit your child in many ways – showing emotions, socially,
intellectually, and physically - you would you like to strike the right balance.
Review your child’s daily schedule. Then ask yourself honestly – are they
spreading themselves too thin? Do the Math yourself – minus the number of hours
they are “occupied” from the hours in a day. These are the signs where you
should understand that your Child development is really being compromised.
Has your kid been irritable, sleepy
or lethargic lately?
Have they stopped showing interest
in activities they enjoyed earlier?
Are their grades at school falling?
Too many activities could be the reason.
Remember, families need to talk to each other and play together. That’s a vital
extra-curricular activity too!
Here’s a what-to-pack-in guide to programming
in keeping with your child’s age. Follow your child’s wants and interests – not
your own unfulfilled dreams. At times parents could be too pushy because they
like certain activities, but they forget what Good child development activity
is.
3-4 year old -:
Life after school must be
hassle-free. Leave time for unstructured play for overall child development
– it stimulates their imagination. You could begin one extra-curricular
activity. Choose it based on your child’s inclination and interest. Expose your
child informally to different activities to see what they like. For some
activities like gymnastics and ballet, children need to start early. If you
think yours would enjoy any of these, you can start now.
5-6 year old -:
Call your child’s friends over, or
take them over to play. Encourage them to play outdoors as well as indoors. Let
them get a feel of various sports and other activities by trying them hands-on.
Ask them what they would like to learn and select one or, at the most, two that
can be accommodated without compromising on playtime, youngster games.
7-8 year old -:
Try and choose activities your child
does not learn at school. Discuss the activities with your child and ensure
that they are really interested in them. Leave at least two to three days a
week free for play/hobbies.
9-10 year old -:
They can choose sports or different
activities that interest them by themselves. Talk to them and arrange a
schedule that will help them learn new skills, study and enjoy the rest of the
day as well. It is much better idea for the kid development to let them
make decision what kind of games your kid wants to play.