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