Are our children involved in too many extracurricular activities?

OCTOBER 7 – It is a known fact that extracurricular activities help in shaping a student’s character, personality etc.

Extracurricular sports clubs and clubs support the national educational philosophy of “developing the potential of the individual in a holistic and integrated manner” and producing talents that are “intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious.”

The point below is not to question the above principles, but rather to ask ourselves whether we sometimes take things too far?

As a teenager, my weekly extra lessons included piano, tennis, chess, and occasionally athletics.

Even back then – and we’re talking more than 35 years ago – this wasn’t considered a big deal.

I knew classmates who, in addition to classes and almost all of the activities listed above, also had badminton practice and soccer practice on their list.

If you’ve been counting, that’s it half a dozen non-academic activities plus tutoring.

One of my cousins ​​was interested in piano, swimming, karate, chess, and the Outdoor Pursuit Club before he reached 3rd grade.

Another replaced karate with ballet and chess with tennis and the Outdoor Pursuit Club with Boy Scouts.

I remember one of my aunts telling (one of) my uncles that maybe my cousin, his son, should be careful about all these activities because children need time to read, think and relax, among other things.

These days, many parents send their children to numerous extracurricular activities, making my cousin and I’s efforts seem inferior and boring in comparison.

I personally know a parent whose son is taking additional courses in math, science, BM, badminton, drumming, programming, graphic design and even French!

Interestingly, I don’t remember many discussions that reflected my aunt’s concerns all those decades ago.

But her question still rings true today: If a child participates in so many programs throughout the week, when does he or she need to “switch off”?

Of course, no one wants our very young people to spend 16 hours a day on their cell phones or playing Roblox, but certainly the other extreme leaves something to be desired.

A weekly schedule similar to world-class artists or athletes is necessary for world-class artists or athletes (!) but could border on unhealthy for the average child.

This is particularly concerning if the child is not as enthusiastic about such activities as his or her parents.

How many times have we heard from kids who complained that they didn’t particularly enjoy a particular sport or class but were simply forced into it? (see note 1)

This probably leads to a top criterion for selecting these extracurricular activities: it should be something that the child has expressed at least initial interest or ability in, and it should never be something that the child is “afraid” to participate in.

Better yet, he or she should enjoy engaging in such activities with friends (which could be a crucial factor, especially for younger teenagers).

In short, I would like to say that fun and enthusiasm should be the primary determining factor in the intensity and even variety with which we should fill our children’s schedules.

But at the end of the day, a little caution and thought on our part certainly can’t hurt. We don’t want more children to lose their childhood, even as we want to encourage more young people to become like Roger Federer, whose parents actually gave him a lot of freedom and flexibility to experiment with different activities.

Let our child specialize in one or two pursuits that he or she is in love with May Be smarter than exposing them to so many things.

*Note 1: Granted, there will always be early inertia, but if a child hates the guitar in the long run and still has to strum and teach for two hours a week, there’s a good chance his interest in the instrument will wane.

**This is the columnist’s personal opinion.