These days we have so many choices of activities that sometimes school and homework gets crowded out of our kids lives. Finding a balance is difficult, but their education needs to come first after family. That means that school, homework, and projects should be a priority.
When families depend on before or afterschool care, their day is complicated even further. It takes super organization to be certain there is a balance.
Sports, clubs, activities and organizations play an important role in the rounded student. Each provides important changes for socialization, learning new skills and practicing other skills like teamwork (sharing goals and supporting others). The problem arises when these take over the child’s life so they are ‘booked’ all day, 5-6 days a week from when they leave for school until they head to bed.
Elementary kids need down-time; a chance to eat a snack, run around outside, read a book, and help at home by doing their tasks without a time crunch facing them every day. Older students still need down-time as well. So, much as I love the amazing number of sports, clubs, activities, and organizations available to our kids today, I urge you to be selective. We appreciate our adult down-time; kids NEED theirs.