Should I be encouraging my 4 yo to be involved in some activities this fall?

[snoopy5386]

The title says it all - as of right now my DD will be going to preschool 4 days a week and that is it. We've been doing music together for years and up until recently she's really loved it, but now really resists class so we are going to stop. I could sign her up for soccer, martial arts, swimming, tennis, etc. but she's never expressed an interest. But then again it's not like she knows these things even exist, YKWIM? I think she'd enjoy dance or gymnastics but she refuses to wear her hair up and that's required for those things so they are out.
What are your 4 yo's doing this fall?

[Earthy Mama]

My kids didn't do activities at that age. We just played.
I take that back. When dd2 was four, she took a summer of swimming lessons, but that's it.

[karemore]

How about a library program? DD loved the preschool program at the library in the next town over. (ours didn't have one)

I started DD in gymnastics when she was 3 1/2 because I knew she'd love it. (she did) when her interest began to wane around 4 1/2 we took a break.

She started to show and express interest in dance so she's in dance class now. (she's 5) She's not enjoying it as much as she did gymnastics so we're starting back at gymnastics on friday.

We're trying a nature program next week at a state park not too far away.

I wouldn't sign her up for something unless she's expressing interest or I know it suits her interests.

4 Days of school may be enough for you and your DD. You may find that the kids from her class get together at local parks etc and your days will fill up quickly.

[mizzoh]

my 4 yo does do gymnastics, but mainly because he is not in preschool and it's nice to have something fun to do ( plus he loves it). we also take classes at our local nature center. i don't think having them enrolled in activities is at all necessary, but if there is something she is really into doing, then go for it. i wouldn't sign my ds up for something unless he was really into it. like the PP said, 4 days of school could be plenty

[sarahr]

We didn't do anything my dd's first year of preschool (when she was 3). This coming year, at 4, we'll do gymnastics and/or swimming (at an indoor pool). I want to give her more physical confidence before she goes to kindergarten with the big kids.

[Caneel]

I went through a period where I was so worried because DS wasn't signed up for activity A,B, and C.

We are doing swimming lessons this summer, which DS is super excited about.

I did not sign him up for fall soccer, the practice and game times don't work for us so until he expresses an interest, we are holding off.

[meemee]

depends on the personality of the child.

at that age dd hated waiting her turn. she was good with one on one. so no classes for her. plus she liked doing her own thing. i think that's her personality though. she really enjoys just having time on her hand to do what she wants to do.

[LynnS6]

Why? I'm not anti activity, but at 4, I don't think that many are necessary. She's going to preschool 4 days a week. That's a lot of activity.

If she's a social kid, or one who wants to learn something specific (swimming, for example), then I could see it.

There's not a lot to be gained from introducing organized sports really early (with some exceptions of course). our ds didn't do a lot of activities until he turned 8. He's been fine.

[pbjmama]

At 4 my son has taken a short swim class, I wanted him to have some kind of instruction as we go to the pool alot and I also have a 2 year old. This fall I hope to sign my kids up for a tumbling pre-gymnastics class that they can take together. It is 1 hour a week and I think they will enjoy it. This will be in addition to 4 half days of preschool for ds.

[mumkimum]

I don't think regular out-of-preschool (or other school) are that crucial. There's always stuff you can find out about and drop in to do or see - like kids theater or dance performances, drop in nature or museum events, etc. if you want to be involved but not committed for weeks involved. Regular, or semi-regular outings to places you like can be just as good too (kids museum, library, hiking, etc).

We're doing ice skating, and possibly ballet this fall, though - dd does much better having physically active stuff going on (and I can't do all that myself, I'll get worn out ). She's loved skating over the summer so we want to continue that and has been really interested in dance, so we're trying out something more formal (did another dance class previously, but it was more dance-and-play). We'll also have week-long morning preschool.

[sept04mama]

And here I was thinking 3 days/week preschool is going to be too much for my 4 year old! Seriously, I think you're fine to just do that. My 5yo. last school year only did a 1 hr./week class (and no school) and he was totally happy. I think we should enjoy the time with them before they get older and it gets crazy!

[KatWozBlue]

I am obviously in the minority, but my dd started taking ballet at age 2, once a week 1/2 an hour, she LOVED it, absolutely loved it, she reads books on ballet, it became a great interest. She's now 4 and this fall is taking itty bitty acro and a half tap have ballet class. She is soooo excited.

This summer she is part of a "mighty mite" basketball league, she runs around, throws the ball, she is having a ball.

We exposed our son to one sport per "season", we found programs that were very laid back to just introduce him.

We have found that these activities have enhanced their lives, they have met great friends, have really enjoyed them and if they don't enjoy them (my son was not a fan of soccer), then we find something different.

I don't think its necessary, but we are talking about fun activities here, plus I like anything that gets them to move their little bodies in new ways.

[Qbear'smama]

I agree that it is not crucial but depends on the personality of the child. DD expressed an interest in ballet early so I signed her up at 2 and she loves it, apart from the tights (she hates seams). She also does Suzuki music (cello) which is designed for young kids. That's a little bit tough sometimes, but she's learning that if she wants to be good at playing (which she does) she has to practice; she's actually articulated to us that she has gotten good at X or Y because she's practiced (like swinging across the monkey bars, for instance) and I think she's learned that lesson in a practical way from cello.

That being said, both activities are on Saturdays and break in the summer and we don't have her in anything over the summer, just doing fun and interesting things with us, playdates, etc.

I am especially aware not to overload her since I WOH and she's in outside care full time. I might be more inclined if I were home with her. If you think of things your DD likes and might want to do, no harm in sitting in on a class and seeing her reaction. She may get excited about it.

[ThisCat]

I think she'll be just fine without any additional activities. School is a lot of activity already. That said, I also don't think it'd hurt to sign her up for something she might be interested in that she can't learn in school like swimming or ice skating or something along those lines.

Before I recently (like the just the other day) decided to sign my daughter up for five day a week half day preschool, I had already signed her up for soccer this fall and was planning on signing her up for a creative movement class and some more swim lessons. I was also thinking about maybe finding one more thing. She's a super social kid and like most four year olds is very interested in doing exciting stuff. But now that she'll be in preschool, I think that will all be way too much even for her.

The creative movement class is out as is looking for one more activity. I think we're going to stick with soccer since we've already singed up for it, and she's looking forward to it. It only runs for a couple of months, and it's only on Saturday mornings, so it's not really a big time commitment. And I am definitely going to sign her up for more swim classes. She started them this summer and absolutely loves them. They go in six week sessions and are on Saturday mornings, so I'll an sign her up for some that start after soccer is over.

Before this summer she was never in any classes other than Music Together as a toddler, so all this activity will be very new to us. But she's just been craving so much stimulation lately and really getting interested in the world, so I think she's going to really enjoy it all.