How Much 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 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. Competitive sports activities should be avoided. The child is still too

Young to have to worry about winning and losing. After the rigors of a

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 play is a great option.

Developing motor skills, painting etc. 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 homework monsters. 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. 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.

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.

Several studies are expressing a growing concern that after school

Programs are pressurizing kids to do too much too soon. They point out

that when a child’s afternoon is filled with classes, trips, sports and

other forms of organized activities, kids do not really get the time to be

Just kids. They are also being deprived of family time.

Undoubtedly, there are children who are being burdened with a schedule

That places too much demand on their time. This leads to increased levels

If stress on the child and the family. As regular studies cannot be

Ignored, children are almost always on the run to achieve more. Such

children are really bearing a burden that is too heavy for their frail

Little shoulders.

In an ideal world, all children would go home directly after school to

Loving and caring parents who are waiting for the children to come home.

But the social and economic realities show that many children have to

Attend after school courses because there is no one available at home. For

In such children, these classes, are a boon.

Parents should however restrain themselves from reading too much into

These activities. After school events are free. They

Give additional support. So the importance should also be limited.