Youth Activities - What Every Parent Should Know

Do you think it's time to get your child involved infollowing directions, taking turns, and sharing, then
sporting activities or performing arts lessons? Manythey are ready to move on to social activities like
parents struggle with finding the right time to getdance classes, martial arts instructions, or sports.
their kids involved. Once the papers are signed andNow that you know your child is ready to actively
their car pooling the team to a game or buying atake part in sports, performing arts lessons or martial
brand new karate uniform, the next problem theyarts instructions, there are just a few guidelines to
face is wondering how much is too much. Below youfollow to ensure their happiness.
will find some great tips on how to decide if your- Watch for Burnout Signs: Much like adults, children
child is ready for extracurricular activities, as well asare capable of suffering from activity burnout. Since
how to know when it's all too much.kids are becoming more and more involved at
When to Start: How young is too young? Is it everyounger ages, by the time they reach their teenage
too late? Questions like these plague parents ofyears they are tired of playing softball or they don't
young children. There are no set rules governingwant to pick of the guitar ever again. They become
when you should or shouldn't be enrolling your child infrustrated with their activities and they no longer are
sports activities or lessons of some sort. Generallyhappy when they play or go to practice.
speaking, most parents choose to start enroll their- Don't Over Do It: It may be tempting to let your
children in activities around 4 years old (preschoolchild take part in every activity they want to, but
age), but ultimately it should be based on the growthchildren need time play and relax, regardless of
of your child. While there are no specific guidelines forwhether not they want to. If your child is school age,
involvement, as a parent you can make a decisionthey are going to be bombarded with even more
based on the follow three things:activity opportunities. Letting them over saturate
their lives with commitments will definitely lead to
1. Interest Level: Is your child interested in theburn out and can ultimately leave them tired and less
activity you're considering enrolling them in? If youthan happy. If your child is currently in school, to
find that your little one has been pounding away onmany activities can take a toll on their school work.
their play piano or loves to kick around a soccer ball,Not only will it affect them, but as a parent, your
you should consider getting them involved in youthtime will be spread even thinner.
soccer or music lessons.- Careful When Quitting: Your child may be frustrated
2. Motor Skills: If your child has impressive motorwith their music lessons and want to quit, not
skills, it's a good time to start looking for an activitybecause they hate it, but because they don't feel
to help cultivate them. How do you know? Simpleconfident in their abilities. Nothing happens over night
tasks like buttoning shirts, tying bows, staying in theand allowing your child to quit an activity whenever
line when coloring can mean your child is developingthey are frustrated will only set a bad example.
the motor skills that can help them excel duringAllowing them to give up will lead them to believe
lessons or sports activities.think it is okay to quit at any time. If your child
3. Social Maturity: Your child needs to know how towants to quit, you may want to consider requiring
interact with others before they can take part inthem to hold out until the end of the season or
activities. This is not to be mistaken with beingsessions. If they still are not interested after this time
outgoing. A shy child can be socially mature. If yourthen you can allow them to quit.
child can abide by social rules like listening to adults;