At what age should kids start........?

Question

piano lessons?
guitar lessons?
drum lessons?
soccer?
swimming?
foreign language?
dance lessons?
gymnastics/cheerleading?
karate?

I'm trying to choose some activities for my kids. I don't want to give them too much too soon, but I want to make sure that what I give them is stimulating and accomplishing what it's supposed to accomplish. Tips?

I'm not asking about doing all these things at the same time. I'm asking when you typically start each of these things. Who on earth would sign their kids up for this much stuff?

Answer 1

As a rule,
One class, once a week.
You can start as early as 4. But you want to remember that having a full schedule stresses out parents and kids. If they are going from school, to class, then class, then home and to bed, that is really stressful. Kids need down time and time to have "free-play". Having unstructured play is important from the age of 3-adulthood.

Answer 2

There is no proper age to learn anything provided passion and interest play a very important role, and by the age of 5 to 6 when the child is mentally, physically and emotionally fit, Do not strain the child but make a plan and an analysis SWOT ie strengths, weakness, opportunities, threats and make a decision. Its is also better for the child to play and get creative and make some good decisions. Remember it is good for the child in the long run but choose wisely as it may also have negative aspects too the child sometimes will lose human relationships, do not talk to people and sometimes develop an superiority complex and this can be avoided by making a right decision at a right time and do not force him.. a dog will also retaliate when u push him towards the wall

Answer 3

5 is a good age to start honestly. Yeah, they are really young, b ut most people do that. My cousin did that and hes 7 now, and hes just fine. Most kids even start at 3. Just some basics that anyone can do. They can really start at any age and I dont think it will hurt them. The worst that can happen is that they will be really talented by age 10 lol And in my opinion, I think karate and dance are pretty cool.

Answer 4

Oh my goodness...

I think just asking about all that stuff may be a little overstimulating. What happened to playing on the playground or coloring?

Okay, my kids are in one lesson each (they're 3 and 5). The three-year-old is in a tumbling/gymnastics class. The 5-year-old is in karate.

I'd steer away from piano, guitar and drums for a while.

Same goes for foreign language.

I do think swimming is a good thing to learn early. I have a nephew who went to the baby swimming lessons, and he's 3 now and not the least bit timid around water (and he can swim). My kids will take swimming lessons this summer.

My main tip is to make sure your kids are having fun in what they do. It will not ruin their lives if they don't take guitar lessons, or if they prefer to play t-ball instead of soccer. What could hurt them, though, is if you force them to fill up all their time with lessons and classes to the point where they don't have fun with any of it.

Little kids, by the way, learn in almost everything they do. Having them take formal lessons, in addition to all the learning they do by just being kids and play/learning, can be counterproductive.


EDIT (IN RESPONSE TO YOUR EXTRA INFORMATION):

My aunt. She has my cousin, who is 5 years old, signed up for no less than six lessons, ranging from baby gym to sign language to tap dancing. That's kind of where I'm coming from when I'm overwhelmed by the list. Sorry.

Answer 5

Age 7 is a good age.

Answer 6

My son is 11 months old and I've been thinking the same thing! I'm just going with, when he is old enough to understand and comprehend it enough to follow the directions then he's ready. I begin playing softball when I was 4 years old, well t-ball. But ... I'm thinking 4 or 5! You can always start any of these at home. Using flash cards for the foreign language and little dance videos and stuff ... :o) Too Cute! I can't wait! !! **www.happysahm.com**

Answer 7

When they want to do those things. I do not force my children to do things they dont want to do. My kids are plenty busy, but they are doing things they like, not dread.

My kids are 6 and 15. They are very active, My 15 year old Wanted to start football. However cant now with his ankle being broke with the plate in He just had surgery 3 days before conditioning for football began. He was a little said but over it now. He is very active with the ROTC and the special teams unit, and the guard Thur his school.

My 6 yr old likes girl scouts, goes skating weekly with friends, and is helpping me get her dog ready to show. If you keep them active they will explore what they like.

Answer 8

my daughter started dance classes when she was 3 and cheer leading when she was 5.We started young because she has a disability and we felt that being on a team or in a class would help with her self esteem. She loves being a part of something, especially since she has no siblings. It needs to be left up to the child though. If you enroll them in something that they really don't want to do or before they are really ready, they end up hating the activity.

Answer 9

I would say at three years of age they can start an activity. They will probably be more interested in playing, though! If you ever watch a soccer game of three and four year old, many of them are picking at the grass!

Answer 10

my daughter is 8 and my son is 7. they started playing soccer when they were 5 and 6. they love it. my daughter just started taking dance lessons this year. i feel the younger the better. because, we all know that when they get older they probally will not be that interested in trying things on their own.