Basketball, tee ball, swimming, soccer, music…the lists goes on and on for how many extracurricular activities are offered to children these days. But at what age should they begin, and how much is too much?
When Should Kids Start Extracurricular Activities?
My son Cohen will start kindergarten in the fall, and like most parents, I want to make sure he’s ready. He’s been in preschool for a year now, and I believe he will succeed academically and socially in school.
However, he may be behind when it comes to sports and other extracurricular activities. Cohen started swim lessons at the age of two and has continued every summer. But that’s the only extra activity he has participated in. He hasn’t shown much interest in soccer, basketball, or tee ball.
Mallory’s son Cohen at swim lessons
My thoughts are that he could start in a sport or other activities once he started school, but will he be behind? Some parents I know started their children in tee ball, soccer or Little Greens track club around four, but what age is the right age to start?
My two-year-old Collyns (who is my stubborn child!) recently started swim lessons this spring. So far at every lesson, she has cried the entire time. She’s not learning anything, and it’s a distraction for the other teachers and students. Don’t get me wrong—she loves the water, but for some reason, she HATES swim lessons! So here I am, between a rock and a hard place. Do I keep making her go to swim lessons? Or do I wait till she’s a little older? I’m thinking maybe we’ll try it again when she’s older.
How Much Is Too Much for Kids?
I remember my mom putting me in every type of dance class imaginable, every sports camp out there, every swim team and even baton twirling. I was going to one practice for one sport every night of the week without having a day off! By the time I reached high school, I was a little burned out.
When children are just starting out in an activity, it’s about having fun and getting experience. But what if they aren’t having any fun? Do you force them to continue doing something they hate? Or do you let them quit? I understand wanting to give your child a taste of everything, but you also need to listen to your child.
Mallory’s daughter Collyns at swim lessons
My belief is that every situation is different, and it depends on the age of the child. I like to compare it to trying new foods. Sometimes, when a child tries a new food, they either love or hate it. If they hate it, doctors recommend re-introducing the foods. Our children’s pallets may change over time, as could their talents and passions for a certain activity.
For me, if my children want to participate in something, I will let them try. I want them to find their passions, but I don’t want to push them into it. It could be basketball one year, then soccer the next. I will probably only allow one activity at a time. I will let them explore but not to the extreme, especially at such a young age. I want my kids to enjoy being children.
Mallory Connelly
Babies & Toddlers
In addition to the time I devote to being a mom, I also work full-time outside the home, which means my day is hardly ever as simple as nine to five. With an all-too-established schedule, as soon as I walk through the door, my day doesn’t end, but rather just begins. It’s a balancing act, especially with two children, but being a mom is one full-time job that I never want to quit!
