Are today's kids overscheduled?
@youngsweetheart (772)
United States
January 9, 2009 5:20pm CST
I have two kids, Sierra, who is 6 and in kindergarten, and Liam who is 4 and is not in school or day care. Both participate in a dance class once a week, and I'm glad I can give them the opportunity to take part in something like that and broaden their horizons.
A lot of parents stay at the studio to observe their children dancing on the monitor, and we chitchat while we watch. I always hear parents talking about how their daughter (my son is the only boy) has gymnastics and swim class and Mommy and Me and God knows what else - and we're talking about 3 and 4 year old kids!
I'm all for letting kids explore their options, but I think four or more different classes is a bit much for a kid, especially one that young. I can't help but think that these kids are so overscheduled that they don't have much time to just BE A KID!
I'd love to hear other people's points of view on the subject, or if someone has personal experience with a child taking so many different classes to share their story and how it works for their family.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@yunzhige (311)
• China
10 Jan 09
Well,you are so nice,not only your appearance,but also you heart to your children.
In our country,young children have to learn many course,such as piano,dance,calligraphy and so on.Children have no choice,because their parents afraid their children lag behind other children.But now,this situation is better now,because more and more parents realized the significance of children's interest.
In my opinion,I think if your goal is let kids explore their options,those classes are not over scheduled,because those are chance for children to know more about different things.But if you ask your children to make progress or achieve success in those classes,those classes may be overscheduled.
so,communicate with children ,tell them your aim and let them enjoy their class,I think,those classes will not be burden,but another kind of good memory to them.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
10 Jan 09
When my kids were in school, they got way too much homewrok. It would run late into the night and sometimes it was really aggravating. I am all for education but I am also for them having time to excercise and other things, and I feel yes, they are over scheduled with sports and tons of other things. I dont like so much running way up into the night....these kids need rest too, and they are not bots. I have always wondered why they dont consider more of the overall effect on children.