After school activies for the under 5's

[c.shallow]

I would like to get my 4 year old son interested in some sort of after school activies ie football,swimming, clubs, does anyone know of any clubs in Oxfordshire for under 5's?

[spudqueen]

Well I'd contact your local swimming baths/leisure centre for swimming lessons, and football maybe offered at school. Can I ask why though? Most 4 year olds are happy to either just go home after school or go to a friends house. A school day is a long day for a 4 year old.

[saxy_jag]

Agree with spudqueen - four is very young to be starting a round of such activities. There is as much to be gained from visiting friends (and having them visit), going shopping and helping at home as at any after-school club. There will time for all that later. For now, let him develop.

Saying that, my youngest was BMX racing at regional/national level at that age, but that was basically the only 'formal' activity he did outside school. It was very family orientated and we had a social network that very much included the kids. They'd all play and work together and look out for each other no matter what age/gender. I think he learnt as much about being a person from that as from the actual racing.

I think if you can get involved in some kind of family activity like this then it becomes part of family life and the kids learn valuable social lessons from it without it becoming a chore.

[fagidill]

c.shallow , your local council will probably be able to answer your question, A whole lot better than the two on
here have!!

spudqueen & saxy-jag : i think your answer's were
impurtinant !!!! to say the least.

[c.shallow]

thanks fagidill.xx

[annie0000]

I agree with fagidill, your local council sports department will have a list of any council sponsored activities. You could also look in your local community center to see if they offer anything and also try your local football team to see if they do junior coaching - our club starts at 4, but a lot of things here don't start until 5 as we have a later school start age in Scotland. Beavers (the junior version of cubs) starts at 5 and three quarters. It might be worth seeing if there is an enjoyaball franchise near you as well, they do sports coaching from about age 3 I think. Having said that, I think that swimming is your best bet, either through the pool or your local council. Swimming is an important life skill as well as exercise and enjoyment and they usually start at 3. As I don't live in the area, I cant be more specific, but good luck finding something>

[spudqueen]

Impertinant? Moi? I stand by what I said though, that I think that 4 is a little too young to start after school activities. I once knew a woman who enrolled her 2 and a half year old daughter in dancing lessons - because she wanted her to have a hobby! Children need time to be themselves, and as I have already said, a school day is a long time for a 4 year old. Mine were always more than happy to come home, watch a little tv to chill out or we used to play a lot with play doh, jigsaws, simple board games, that sort of thing. They did start swimming lessons (at about 6 or 7) and also went to Beavers, but not at such a young age!

[saxy_jag]

Impertinent we may be, Spudqueen, but I guess we both have well-adjusted kids who never felt pressured by their parents' ambitions. We can also both spell and punctuate properly.

I should add that mine joined swimming club, and Beavers, played football and had riding lessons from the age of around six or seven onwards - not because we thought it would be a good idea, but because it was what they wanted to do.

Go ahead, c.shallow, and sign your lad up for swimming, tennis, football etc. if you wish, but make sure you're doing it for the right reasons (ie. because he wants it and not to fulfil your own ambitions).

[c.shallow]

Thanks for your advice super nannies! (Not that I asked for it)

I simply asked if anyone knew of any after school classes for the under 5's. I have a very good reason for wanting my son to do an after school activity, and its not that i'm a pushy parent (not that I have to explain myself to you!)

Thanks for the lecture on how to be a good parent, but next time if your not answering the question, could you keep your opinions to yourself.

Many thanks.

[saxy_jag]

You're welcome shallow.

[Stevesw]

If you can, take him swimming yourself. He's probably much rather go with his mum at age four than go with a lot of strangers. Not judging just wish I'd cherished the time with mine more because they grow up too fast and then are gone :-( good luck.

[annie0000]

After sitting and playing in a classroom all day, children need exercise. Relaxing at home watching tv and playing board games is all great, there are 5 days after school and all weekend to fill and children age 4 should be having 2 hours of exercise and activity a day.

I am sure that c.shallow was not intending her son to be spending 5 hours every day after school doing an intensive course of activities.

At that age, it is important to expose children to all sorts of different things so that they can find out what things they enjoy.

My kids have always attended activities both before and after starting school.

That does not mean that we don't spend time playing games or relaxing.

At 7 and 6 they go swimming, to judo, beavers, general sports club and have in the past also gone to football (swapped it for judo) and rugby.

They both play chess well, have asked to go to art classes, the eldest is learning the guitar from my husband and I can assure you that they can both spell.

However, they both still get to play on their station, watch dvds and read intensively everything from the beano to harry potter. They also have friends round to play, go out on their bikes etc.

It is not a case of one thing or another, it is possible to do family activities and outside clubs. I am sure that if c.shallow felt that her son was tired either before starting or after starting activities it would not be something she would be considering or continue with.

[c.shallow]

Well said annie0000.x

[Bellringer]

Contact your local Scout Group. At 6 he can join Beavers and then he can get involved in almost any activity suitable for his age until he is too old (like me at something over 65)