How Much Activity Is Too Much?

Should your child go for the football practice 5 days a week? Are 3 days enough? It is common for parents to be a little confused when it comes to deciding how much is too much with reference to after school activities. They argue that since most of the activities are fun (as different from studies), children will simply lap up these classes. But, too much of fun can also make a child sick. Here is a simple guide that will help you decide how much is too much for your child.

Kindergarten:
Your child is just beginning to learn to interact and get used to discipline. His or her after-school life should be simple and carefree. One or two classes per week are enough at the beginning. Once the child settles down, look for more challenging activities like a music program.

Grade 1:
One or two activities per week, play dates and playground visits are recommended. Avoid competitive sports activities. The child is still too young to have to worry about winning and losing. After the rigors of a full day at school, he or she needs a healthy outlet for pent up energy. Physical activities and noncompetitive sports are best for this age.

Grade 2:
Your child is old enough to voice opinions on what activities he or she wants. Sports, skating, swimming or computers – steer him towards things he likes. Many children begin lessons on a musical instrument around this age. But, allow your child some ‘alone time’ during which he can unwind and just do whatever he wishes.

Grade 3:
Socialization begins to take center stage. Team sports are a good choice. Developing motor skills, painting, drawing etc are good too. Let the child explore areas of interests. But leave aside enough time for the family and for fun activities.

Grade 4:
At this age, the child will tell you what he likes. He needs to get involved in activities that will boost his confidence. This will also help him manage stress as this is the time when social pressure is beginning to build. But, beware of the homework demon. Your child needs more time with his studies. Balancing his schoolwork with other activities is very important.

Grade 5:
The fifth grader is bubbling with energy and will want to do just about everything. But she or he may conveniently push studies to the background. So, close supervision is needed. Keep one or two days free for family time and other activities. Now is a great time to get your child interested in community service.

Middle school:
Steer him away from TV. Get him engaged in activities that reinforce learning. Academic performance can be improved by encouraging your preteen to join clubs like the Girl/Boy Scouts program, language clubs, chess clubs etc. As a thumb rule, 16-20 hours a week of extra activity should be more than enough. But look out for signs of burnout.

What you select for your child and how long he should work at it is basically decided by the child’s temperament. As a parent, you should closely observe your child and base your decisions on feedback from the child himself.

By: Thomas Jackson

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Thomas Jackson is a proud contributing author and writes articles on several after school subjects. You can read more of Thomas’s articles at After School Activity located at www.afterschoolactivity.info

What You Should Know About Preschool Daycare

Preschool daycare is normally where little tots between the ages of 3 & 6 are enrolled to learn how to act together with other kids there own age while their parents are at work. Nevertheless, preschool daycare can also be carried out in one’s home by a qualified child minder of the parent’s choosing.

Qualified preschool daycare centers now also offer first-class educational programs that help children build up academically and physically, as well as socially. Parents are advised to be very meticulous in the establishment they finally select for their child. The more suited a centre is to a child’s individual needs, the happier that child will be.

Licensing is very important, especially in preschool day care. This ensures that both the standards at the centre and the quality of instruction offered by its staff are of a good quality. This standard will meet the requirements demanded by recognized educational bodies in the country.

References from satisfied parents are also a must. Most establishments are able to furnish a dozen or more references at the drop of a hat. However, parents are recommended, often by the institution themselves, to speak with the referees and assure themselves that the services and facilities at the centre suits their child’s needs.

Cost does not always mean quality. Preschool daycare institutions are listed en masse in the yellow pages. Calling them, and their referees, often enables parents to make a rough estimate of the cost and also allows them to narrow down the number of preschool daycare choices in their area in a short space of time.

The main issue that arises when enrolling a child in preschool daycare is whether or not they are physically and mentally ready for the lessons offered by the preschool daycare centers.

Enrolling a child for any sort of instruction before he is able to understand and enjoy it, is not advisable. In the long run, it will prove counter productive to the parent’s intention to lay the groundwork for future education, as it will ultimately make the child dislike preschool daycare altogether.

The child should be happy and comfortable in their preschool daycare environment. It may take them a week or two or even three, to adjust to their new surroundings and minders but, once they settle down, they generally don’t want to leave it.

After school chats as well as the occasional open discussions with other parents are essential to keep in touch with what’s happening. These conversations help in drawing out issues and problems. This discussion will also help parent determine how happy the child is at the centre. This helps parents form a clearer picture of what a normal day at preschool daycare is like for their child.

By:

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For all kinds of great information about day cares and what to look for and when to look for help, please visit Scott”s website at: Free Day Care Info”

Have A Shy Child? Teach Him Or Her To Be More Upfront

There are children that are naturally more outgoing than others. As a parent, you should understand that shyness or inhibition is driven by both genetic and environmental factors.

However, this temperament isn’t necessarily permanent and does not always determine a child’s personality when he or she grows up. In fact, these traits can be influenced by time and life experiences — a timid person may overcome his shyness, while a confident person might become withdrawn.

There are many ways to help a child overcome shyness. But, first, you have to look into the reason why your child is too shy for his or her age. Go back to your earliest recollection of your childhood. Were you and your partner shy when you were at that age? Are either of you shy up to now? Remember that you are your child’s social model.

Your responses and interaction with other people are your child’s first social template. Model social phrases for common situations, like greeting a person “Good morning!” or “How are you today?”, asking permission (“May I help you with that?”), or introducing oneself (“Hello, I’m __. How do you do?”) are great starters.

Meaningful and fun interaction with siblings is also necessary. Observe the quality of interaction they have and make sure the older ones do not overshadow the younger kids. You can also arrange play dates or have a friend who has a child over to play with yours. Take time out to bring your child to a place where he or she can meet with kids of the same age.

Healthy social development is central in early childhood. If you feel you’ve exhausted all means to draw your child out and he or she still stays withdrawn, do not be afraid to seek professional help. Shyness can sometimes turn out to be a manifestation of behavioral difficulty.

Some kids are naturally shy and sensitive, and may need more time to adjust to their surroundings and with new faces. Give them that time. Don’t force them to interact if they’re not ready as it increases the risk of them being more scared of people in the long run. Introducing your child to the people around him or her is a good start, and will make him or her comfortable and safe. But let the first move truly come from him or her and let it happen naturally.

By: Matthew Roberts.

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