Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

So Megan started Kindergarten and as you know from my posts, she had a ROUGH time. She is getting into the swing of things slowly but surely but it is a LONG day for her and she comes home OFF THE WALL!

I had registered her for dance, a ballet/tap combo class that she "wanted" to take. But she CRIED her first class so I stayed with her and watched. This week she was HYSTERICAL that she didnt want to go back at all. I feel bad pushing her although I would LOVE for her to start dancing (it was VERY important to me growing up). I mentioned soccer, cheerleading, swimming but she just gets upset. She says that school is too long and she doesnt want to go to other classes. I feel like she should have SOMETHING else besides school. We obviously take her out every weekend and try to find fun things to do..but I thought at 5 she would be ready for something extra. A part of me feels that I should push a little harder but another part of me feels like I should let it go for another year. Do you think some kids just arent ready at a young age?

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

Does she have a friend to do it with? I think that if she sees a familiar face then it might be easier? My kindergartener comes home pretty wiped and gave me a bit of a fight in the beginning but she never fought me for dance because some of her best girlfriends are in her class.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

If she really isn't having fun at the extracurricular and says no to various options, honestly I wouldn't push it. Why not drop the subject for a few months, let her get used to the length of the kindergarten day, and then maybe start her with a class in January after the holidays?

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

does she have a full day of school? if it's a full day, it just may be too much...

i have slowly introduced things to my DDs and it's just been a part of their routine, not really an option. over time i have picked up on what they like better (gymnastics vs. dance) and scheduled accordingly. some classes they will take with friends, some they go to make new friends.

i think it's kid dependent. mine have always gone with the flow, but some of their friends have not wanted to do things. some parents push a little, some back off, it's all situation dependent and how you yourself wish to handle things...

DD#1 is in 1/2 day kindergarten this year and has 2 activities (gymnastics and piano). i wanted to see how this worked before adding anything else. i think we will stick with this for a while as i think it's working for now...

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

In your case, I think it's more of a separation anxiety issue than the actual activity. I would try doing a dance class on a Saturday to see if she is still reluctant.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

DS would not be able to handle any after school activities. He does a sport class and a tennis class on Saturdays.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

I would try and find some Saturday activities. Seems like the poor kid is exhausted after a long day of kindergarten. Saturday would also help with any separation issues she may be experiencing.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

I would say dont push it. I do believe some kids just need more time than others.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

I would just leave her alone for now and definitely dont push it. My 5 year old is in a full day of kindergarten and she refuses to do any after school activity so I said okay. She is tired after school but is happy to go to the park with her friends etc, I think for her she has been restricted all day as in the teacher telling her what to do etc etc and she just wants some free time and I let her have it.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

I'd let it go. I get that its important to you , but if its such an unpleasant experience , she might not want to continue with it later. Try again next year

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

My DD doesn't do any other activities beyond school, playing with friends, and hanging out on weekends.

I just don't think she's ready to be in school all day and then rush her off to dance for another hour.

But then again, I'm not a "schedule" type of parent- I like my DD to have a lot of free time to do what she wants to do- creative play, color, paint, etc.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

Thanks everyone.

I decided to pull her out of dance class for this year. Maybe we can start slowly in the summer and she can see it's not exactly like school. She looked at it like "more school" and I guess she is overwhelmed. I hope she likes it at some point because she is VERY good and dances all the time at home. I am also the type of parent who hates to "schedule" things. I think kids need their FREE time. They should be able to play inside when they want, jump on their bikes if they feel like it, have a friend over or just veg out in pjs all day if thats what they need. Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

My DD just started Kindergarten too and takes dance one afternoon a week. That night she is irritable and exhausted. I have to try and keep a level head myself as I work all day and then I need to deal with her & her sometimes short temper. I had a talk with my DD last night and we agreed that we would give dance one more week and see what she wants to do after that. If she was crying and saying she didn't want to go beforehand though, I wouldn't make her go. My DD goes with a smile, dances, has fun with her friend there and then is grumpy & tired when she gets home.

Re: Do you think some kids just can't handle extracurricular activities at a young age?

I am a dance teacher, so maybe I can give a different perspective. I have found kindergarten to be a hard year fir the kids. There is a lot more on their plate, and sometimes and afterschool activity prices to be too much. I have had kids stop dancing in kindergarten after having them for two years of preschool, and many times they return in 1st grade once they have become more accustomed to their schedules. I would say not to push it. Let her come to you about an interest to start back up, or maybe even try something new. I know dance was important to you, but it may just not be her thing. And I can also tell you, from a lot of experience, that dancing at home and living it, is completely different then dancing in a class setting to someone elses moves.