| Do you think it's time to get your child involved in | | | | 3. |
| sporting activities or performing arts lessons? | | | | 4. Social Maturity: Your child needs to know how |
| Many parents struggle with finding the right time | | | | to interact with others before they can take part |
| to get their kids involved. Once the papers are | | | | in activities. This is not to be mistaken with being |
| signed and their car pooling the team to a game | | | | outgoing. A shy child can be socially mature. If |
| or buying a brand new karate uniform, the next | | | | your child can abide by social rules like listening to |
| problem they face is wondering how much is too | | | | adults; following directions, taking turns, and |
| much. Below you will find some great tips on how | | | | sharing, then they are ready to move on to social |
| to decide if your child is ready for extracurricular | | | | activities like dance classes, martial arts |
| activities, as well as how to know when it's all too | | | | instructions, or sports. |
| much. | | | | Now that you know your child is ready to actively |
| When to Start: How young is too young? Is it | | | | take part in sports, performing arts lessons or |
| ever too late? Questions like these plague parents | | | | martial arts instructions, there are just a few |
| of young children. There are no set rules | | | | guidelines to follow to ensure their happiness. |
| governing when you should or shouldn't be | | | | Watch for Burnout Signs: Much like adults, children |
| enrolling your child in sports activities or lessons of | | | | are capable of suffering from activity burnout. |
| some sort. Generally speaking, most parents | | | | Since kids are becoming more and more involved |
| choose to start enroll their children in activities | | | | at younger ages, by the time they reach their |
| around 4 years old (preschool age), but ultimately | | | | teenage years they are tired of playing softball or |
| it should be based on the growth of your child. | | | | they don't want to pick of the guitar ever again. |
| While there are no specific guidelines for | | | | They become frustrated with their activities and |
| involvement, as a parent you can make a decision | | | | they no longer are happy when they play or go |
| based on the follow three things: | | | | to practice. |
| | | | Don't Over Do It: It may be tempting to let your |
| 1. Interest Level: Is your child interested in the | | | | child take part in every activity they want to, but |
| activity you're considering enrolling them in? If you | | | | children need time play and relax, regardless of |
| find that your little one has been pounding away | | | | whether not they want to. If your child is school |
| on their play piano or loves to kick around a | | | | age, they are going to be bombarded with even |
| soccer ball, you should consider getting them | | | | more activity opportunities. Letting them over |
| involved in youth soccer or music lessons. | | | | saturate their lives with commitments will |
| 2. Motor Skills: If your child has impressive motor | | | | definitely lead to burn out and can ultimately leave |
| skills, it's a good time to start looking for an | | | | them tired and less than happy. If your child is |
| activity to help cultivate them. How do you know? | | | | currently in school, to many activities can take a |
| Simple tasks like buttoning shirts, tying bows, | | | | toll on their school work. Not only will it affect |
| staying in the line when coloring can mean your | | | | them, but as a parent, your time will be spread |
| child is developing the motor skills that can help | | | | even thinner. |
| them excel during lessons or sports activities. | | | | |