Tips for Choosing "After-Preschool" Activities and Classes

June 17, 2008

by Eliza Clark

More and more, it seems, there are so many different kinds of activities and classes geared to the little ones. Deciding which ones to try and which to pass on sometimes gets confusing.

There are all the wonderful music classes that encourage you to bring your baby before he can even hold his head up. Then you can move on to toddler gymnastics with the tots bopping about on the mats and trampolines. An art class can seem like a great idea when you want to keep the fingerpainting mess out of the house. Learning to swim is a necessity, for safety's sake. Language lessons? Everyone says learning a second language early is the way to go. What about the lovely, free storytimes at local libraries and bookshops? Why wouldn't you? And by the time the kiddos are three, they're ready for drop-off classes. Now that sounds like a godsend, doesn't it? Sign me up! But for which one?

Crazily enough, choosing between all these possibilities can start to feel overwhelming. And it's not just that you first want to find out whether these classes actually any good before spending precious time and money. It's also that the activities children pursue can, later on, become such an important part of their lives and identities. How do we figure out what their interests really are, and what, in the long run, will make them happiest?

Luckily, these activity choices for preschoolers are not actually all that momentous. You may choose one thing for your tot before she can express a preference, but soon enough she'll be letting you know her own ideas on what she wants to do -- and you'll be smart to listen. But more importantly: what really makes the little ones happiest, and what they often learn the most from, is plenty of free time for play. (Can't stress that enough.) If they already spend long hours at preschool or daycare, it's probably best to choose just one extra structured activity, if any. Young children really need their downtime. On the other hand, if they are not in school, or school hours are limited, a few classes a week can be a great thing for kids and parents.

So be sure to look at the big picture (schedule-wise) and the long view (life-wise), and keep in mind a few of our Tuesday tips for thinking through all the choices:

• Do a trial class before signing on to a whole package. Observe carefully. Make sure the teacher is someone who will be as warm, encouraging and supportive as a good preschool teacher -- someone who gets young kids, not just the subject or skill she's teaching.
• Follow your child's interests -- but don't be upset or surprised if those interests change. Just because your child asks to do something doesn't mean he has the slightest inkling of what is involved. A friend at preschool may talk incessantly about soccer, but that doesn't mean that your darling will necessarily take to running up and down a field for an hour chasing a ball.
• Don't invest in costly new outfits/equipment (i.e. ballet leotard, shin guards, or instrument) until a few happy weeks into the activity. Instead, borrow or find something used. Because spending extra will just put undue pressure on you and your kid to continue something that may not be fun.
• Convenience matters. There's no shame in and indeed much to gain from choosing activities that are close to home or work. No sense in spending a lot of time ferrying the little ones around if you don't have to -- we're all in for plenty of that in later school years.
• Ask yourself if the experience is fun for your child -- that should be the #1 priority. Because fun and learning go hand in hand at this age.
• If your child is not having fun, or getting to the class is putting strain on your family routine, don't worry about dropping it. Again, more play time is never wasted time.
• Talk to other parents and read online reviews and recommendations to narrow down the options. The Savvy Source can help! We have in-depth listings and reviews of classes for preschoolers in seven major cities, and today our 24 amazing city blogs all feature posts on fun classes and activities for the preschool crowd. See the drop-down list on our home page to find your city and check it out!

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