Childhood Stress From Too Much Activity

While there are studies that point to the importance of play for child development, there is little time for it in modern society. Nowadays children have a tightly packed schedule, because many parents attach great importance to a wide variety of extracurricular activities. It should not be forgotten that creativity as well as emotional and social development are promoted through games. 

Many parents put their offspring in extracurricular activities every day. They believe that having busy schedules is beneficial for their children. This often leads to stress  in childhood. Children also need free time where they can play freely and develop their imaginations!

The many activities do not always match the children’s real interests. Parents often fill their children’s diaries only because they don’t have time themselves and have to meet numerous obligations on a daily basis.

In other cases, parents believe that their children are encouraged to develop through a variety of activities. But too much of a good thing often leads to unnecessary pressure and stress. 

Appointments in childhood

When children have too many activities, they run out of time to play freely and enjoy childhood.

Many have numerous extracurricular activities: foreign languages, sports, computer science or art classes. There is also homework after school.

Even on weekends they don’t have free time to play with other children or just to do nothing. Because many have to go to sporting events or have other activities. But this goes much further: extracurricular activities do not only take place during school hours.

There is also a full program during the holidays: language or sports camps fill the time. In addition, many children also take part in a wide variety of events and cultural events.

They enjoy their activities,  but the crowded schedule means that they don’t have time to spontaneously talk to other children. They have even less freedom to play or simply to relax.

No childhood without play

It’s not about disparaging extracurricular activities or doing without them altogether. The problem is that children don’t have time for everything. But playing with their peers and having free time is just as important to them. As parents, we should therefore be careful not to schedule all of our children’s time.

Free play without didactic or pedagogical intentions, in which the children decide for themselves what they do without receiving instructions from adults, is  fundamental for healthy child development. 

It’s the perfect formula for socializing, learning, managing emotions, and boosting creativity and self-esteem. Stress can also be reduced in this way. 

Children have to be able to play for the sake of play, not to learn something. The learning process takes place completely automatically. But children have less and less time for free play alone or with others. Both parents work long hours and cannot supervise them, which is why extracurricular activities are so popular.

But this situation, which was very different with their parents and grandparents, affects the social development of the children.

It is also important for young children to play with bigger ones to develop their social brain. Free play, creating and sharing … all of these are of vital importance to child development.

Overload in childhood: what to do?

Many parents have no choice but to keep their children occupied and looked after through extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, there are ways to prevent overload in childhood.

We have put together some basic recommendations here:

• Take into account your child’s interests and character. If you schedule his free time, he should at least enjoy the activities. It should also be easy to integrate. Avoid additional lessons in which school content is reinforced!

• Avoid too much activity. Children need time to do homework, rest, talk, and have fun with their parents. You must have opportunities to get bored too! It would be perfect to leave at least two afternoons off.
• If your child doesn’t enjoy the extracurricular activity, don’t force them to participate. You shouldn’t force or pressure your child to do something in their free time that they don’t like at all. Before enrolling it in an activity, have a few trial days to see if it’s fun. It is extremely important that the child enjoys leisure activities.
• Avoid childhood stress. If you see your child constantly being tired, lacking in sleep, or feeling listless, they may simply need more free time. Give him the opportunity to relax and calm down.

• Organize game afternoons. Allow your offspring to meet up with other children to play. There are no guidelines or rules required for this. Just invite some friends over and let the kids play together.

Playing as a child is as important as breathing or eating

Excessive extracurricular activities reduce the time children have for free play. But this time is as important as breathing or eating.

Playing makes it possible to build up social relationships in childhood and to exchange ideas with the environment. The advantages of play for child development are numerous and are increasingly being researched and confirmed scientifically. Right now, in our modern society, where there is less and less time left for it.

The organization of after-school activities according to the interests and needs of the parents should  allow space and time for easy play and enjoyment with other children. Avoid stress in childhood with a busy schedule!