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Evidence for /Teacher experience of children who do quite a bit of extracurricular

28 replies

raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 00:29

Without looking for sympathy - I lost my husband this year and have 3 children 8,10 and 14. We have always done quite a lot of 'extra' stuff swimming, judo, youth club, tutoring and stagecoach in various combinations. I am however finding now on my own this quite a heavy schedules as we are rural and it involves quite a bit of travel. However the kids enjoy everything they are doing and it is maintainable if I decide it is. But I also have a streak on me that thinks all this organised stuff is too much and want to simplify our lives. Convexly the kids do have lots of free time and spend allot of time outdoors as we live in a beautiful rural setting and don't really watch much TV, live quite close to school and friends
So what I am getting round to saying is -can you as teachers see the difference socially and academically positively or negatively in children that do a fair amount of activities ? Also any evidence statistically either way anyone knows about?

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MrsSham · 27/12/2012 00:45

I think it depends on what fits with the family and individual children to be honest, I don't think any professional or statistical analysis can really answer you question. I think you need to consider what is reasonable and justify it that way if anything is given up.

My dd does loads but I'm just about to go on a uni work placement and unfortunately if something has to give then it has to give, because if my dd is unable to cope with extra childcare along with her activities then we will need to reconsider it as unfortunately the child care my education commitments are in negotiable. Just as my sisters older boy has had to do in his gcse years, he had to give up a fair bit. Personally I think it is individual and can't be measured against academic merit as some very academic children need more activities rather being academic as a result of more academic, if that makes sence. If you need to drop something don't freely guilty.

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raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 01:05

Your right - just think I was looking for someone to say that extra stuff makes not difference so I could drop stuff but it would only be because I want to not because the children do - will probably feel better after the Christmas break as it was all a bit relentless in dec with so many Christmas parties and performances etc.

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MrsSham · 27/12/2012 01:12

I know the feeling as a single mum, but on top of a bereavement it is some how different, defiantly see how things go, don't make any rash decisions do you have much support? Anyone who can help out occasionally. I have buddies up with two other mums for footsie training we take it in turns to take all three children. It works well, but I don't have any other help myself and it can be hard work for other activities. It's not the a tiki ties as such that gets me its having to be ubber organised around cooking that I often fail at.

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MrsSham · 27/12/2012 01:14

Art terrible post autocorrect.

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Wellthen · 27/12/2012 10:57

The difficulty is a lot of these activities are often done by certain 'types' of children - sociable, confident, middle class, involved families - and it is these things that have more of an impact.

I certainly couldnt look at the class I have now and think 'I bet he/she does lots of stuff out of school.' Ocasionally you notice in areas that directly relate - I have found children who play for teams tend to have a better attitude on the field/pitch and children who play instruments naturally know a bit more about music.

Do what you can do and don't feel guilty. Your love and commitment to them is so much more important, especially after losing their father.

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Wellthen · 27/12/2012 10:59

Oh should also say, you can sometimes see negative impact. Children who are really tired or very stressed and say things like 'The only day I'll be able to do my homework is tonight cos I've got ballet, gym, football, brownies, St John's ambulance and piano lessons the rest of the week.' I think its a lot of time management for a 9 year old!

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raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 11:22

mine I suppose are middle class but have 2 aspies which I suppose is why We started doing a lot as they are cheaper and more fun than ' therapies' we have had a chat and are going to do swimming on a more casual basis and also drop one of the YOuth clubs - my oldest does need more down time now for home work as will my 10 year old as he goes to high school next year

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auntevil · 27/12/2012 11:27

Not a single parent, but work and do all the after school childcare, it can get OTT and relentless.
Last year I made a decision to reign in the activities a bit. We kept the ones they would apparently be 'lost' without, and factored in some free time.
This free time is now used for having friends over (I lucked out on this one Xmas Grin ) . Socially I think that they have benefitted at school. Many of the children in their classes don't do the same activities out of school and it was a chance to get to know them better.

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mrz · 27/12/2012 11:31
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learnandsay · 27/12/2012 11:37

We lived in Norfolk when I was fourteen and I cycled to my group activities.

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raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 11:47

We live in Wales on top of a hill half an hour in a car away from all activities .HAve thought about moving to town but love having a big garden and space ~ we have just had another chat and agreed to drop tutoring and just do some work at home ! so another night clear

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trinity0097 · 27/12/2012 17:28

Unless your child has a real chance of being world class give up swimming lessons once they can swim! By all means swim as a family for fun, but no point with the club swimming!

Check out what things they can do after school which mean they can do something and you just pick them up later than usual, less travelling about for you.

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raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 18:16

Nothing - small rural school - one reason we do stagecoach even though its more expensive is that its 3 activities in one place - so much level travel. i would love them to give up Judo but my middle boy is very good and shows alot of potential

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trinity0097 · 27/12/2012 20:15

Are you sure the school has no extra curricular things? (and must be more than one school with kids those ages), don't just rely on what your children tell you!

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kslatts · 27/12/2012 20:27

my dds (13 and 10) have tried lots of activities, however 2 years ago I got a new job which meant working until 6pm instead of 4pm, both the dd's chose the 1 activity they wanted to carry on with (dd1 chose irish dancing and dd2 chose drama). They both gave up swimming club, they had learnt to swim and we now go together as a family. They can also do activities run by the school. Dd1 plays in the school football team and dd2 does science club.

I think doing some activty is important but we found reducing the amount of activites meant we could do more as a family.

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raspberryroop · 27/12/2012 21:02

Trinity0097 - I'm friends with the school secetary and a TA and a few teachers - they had a disco dance club for 6 weeks and gardening club for 6 weeks - run by teachers and both of which my hyper dd did but they are always short term.

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morethanpotatoprints · 28/12/2012 21:36

I can certainly relate to the negative aspects of extra curricular activities posted by wellthen. I think it is important to do what is right for your children and you, especially since you are all still grieving. Practicalities would suggest perhaps seeking help from other parents and sharing lifts. Ask your dc which activities they enjoy the most and see if anything needs to go.
As a parent with a dd who does something most nights I can sympathise with you, at times it is never ending.
I don't advocate this at all but for us the extra curricular became the curricula and dd now is H.ed because she just took on more and didn't want anything other than school to give.

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MrsSham · 28/12/2012 21:56

Morethan dd would love that, just wish I was in a
Position to do as you. Dd would love to give up school Xmas Grin

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morethanpotatoprints · 28/12/2012 22:03

MrsSham Xmas Smile

We have done a full term now and dd is happy she can continue all her activities and practice during the day. Some people are judgemental and think we are mad, but she is so determined and focused on where she wants to be etc, we felt we had to give it a try. If it all goes wrong, she can go back to school and nothing lost. Xmas Smile. I just thought it would give posters an idea of extra curricular activities taken to an extreme Xmas Grin

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MrsSham · 28/12/2012 22:07

Good luck if she is anything like. My dd im sure she will strive and archive her very best. My dd I know very well would do far better out of school, however I need to study and eventually work my self or she will be far worse off.

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morethanpotatoprints · 28/12/2012 22:19

Thanks MrsSham. Its early days yet, but she seems fine, although still not too keen on Maths and English if done formally. My plan is to keep it informal and "catch her learning". Smile
I used to work, for a while as a lecturer and A level teacher, but couldn't hack it. I have a lot of respect for you studying as I know its not easy with dc. I too did degree and PGCE post dc and the workload is unbearable at times. Good luck

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MrsSham · 28/12/2012 22:27

Thanks morethan Thanks aim loving it, it has given me so much more time than working full time, but have had sacrafice a lot financially but well worth it. I'm on a full time placement after Christmas break so that will be more pressure, like full time employment plus study, but I keep telling myself it will pay in long run.

I would like to keep updated with your dds progress, I hope it goes well and I will look out for you.

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raspberryroop · 29/12/2012 10:44

morethanpotatoprints - I did HE my oldest but he is in a small private school now 2 days a week and has tutoring for the rest as I really couldn't face 3 science GCSE's but we really enjoyed it while it lasted but he really wants to get qualifications. I flexi school the other 2 but my middle boys high school next year wont allow it. Its actually HE that has made me think how much extra stuff we do and how it limits their free time to just be.

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morethanpotatoprints · 29/12/2012 15:30

Raspberry.

Hello, did you mean that it was H.E that made you realise that your dc had little free time or when you moved from school and started H.E.
I ask as we are finding far more free time now and dd is hardly ever too tired for anything.
I think flexi school is a good compromise for some people and it certainly gives you more choice in the education they receive. We didn't look at private schools because dd has tutors for music that are beyond those teaching in private schools, and are very specific. She is very fortunate but alas hasn't realised this yet. I'm not sure what we will do for GCSE/ 16+ yet, but dd is only nearly 9.

This should really be on another thread, sorry for the Hijack

Raspberry and MrsSham, the H.ed threads are very informative and people are lovely there. Its great for asking questions and understanding different peoples perspectives.

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raspberryroop · 29/12/2012 17:42

It was being on a couple of really good HE forums on facebook that introduced me to unschooling etc - I know it would not suit us as a life style totally but I have taken some ideas from it and its really made me think about all the structured stuff we do and along with the time an energy it takes for me to get everyone everywhere, if it was worth it =- Its difficult with Aspies to tell if the improvements in social skills are due to clubs or just maturity and I wondered if teachers could tell the difference :)

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