Today, children have a lot going on. Whether they’re going to baseball practice or piano lessons after school, it can be hard for kids to find time to study, let alone relax.
As a parent, you want your child to have as many opportunities as she can to learn and grow as an individual, but pushing your child or letting her become too active can cause problems.
“When children have too much on their plates, they might not get the proper amount of sleep, which can cause them to feel sluggish or have headaches,” says Sarah Tycast, MD, adolescent medicine physician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “In addition, children might experience mood problems like anxiety or depression as a result of lack of sleep, which could negatively impact school performance.”
Playtime Equals Imagination
While some children might benefit from having structured activities for most of the day, setting aside an hour or two for playtime is important.
“Unstructured playtime cultivates imagination,” Dr. Tycast says. “It’s just a time to have fun and let kids be kids without worrying about being told what to do.”
Before signing up your child for an activity, have a family discussion and weigh the pros and cons to determine if it is best for your child, and cut back on activities if your child shows signs of stress.
For more information on overscheduling, contact the Answer Line at St. Louis Children’s Hospital by calling 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS.