How to Balance School and After-School Activities for Grade School Children

Participating in after-school activities can have a profound impact on a child's life overall. After-school activities help children develop social skills and allow them to build strong supportive relationships with adults other than their parents, according to Colorado State University Extension. Participation in after-school activities can also improve children's academic performance and self-esteem. With all the benefits of after-school activities comes a risk of being too involved and allowing school to become a second priority. Parents should take steps to help keep a sufficient balance between school and after-school activities for their children.

Things You'll Need

  • Whiteboard calendar
  • Dry erase markers

Instructions

    • 1

      Set limits on the number of after-school activities your child can participate in before the school year starts. Allow your child to participate in a maximum of three activities -- one artistic, one athletic and one social.

    • 2

      Listen carefully to what your child wants to do. Let him focus on his interests and passions. Look for activities that are stimulating and safe. Don't impose other expectations on your child through after-school activities. Allow your child to mold his own future instead of looking to him to carry out your unfulfilled dreams.

    • 3

      Make schoolwork a first priority. Encourage your child to at least start homework before attending or practicing for after-school activities, unless the activity happens directly after school. Establish a homework time for your child that he can maintain consistently if possible.

    • 4

      Use a whiteboard calendar to keep track of your child's assignments, projects, assessments, practices and other after-school commitments. Instruct your child to write assignments on the whiteboard daily or weekly, or help your child write them in if he needs help. Cross out assignments and activities after they are completed to monitor what has been done and what's left to do.

    • 5

      Listen to your child's concerns, such as being tired constantly, being stressed about getting homework finished, or not getting to play with his friends enough anymore. Continually check in with your child to say current on his feelings about the after-school activities he's involved in. Discuss trying a different activity or scaling back if he seems to lose interest in a particular activity or in after-school activities in general.

    • 6

      Watch for danger signs of your child being over-involved in after-school activities. Monitor his grades and take note if they begin to drop. Observe your child's sleep patterns. See if he is tired all the time or can't seem to catch up on sleep. Ask your child if he is having trouble meeting the basic obligations of after-school activities, such as practicing an instrument, attending sports events or exercising. Note your child's mood and watch for signs of depression and anxiety such as being grumpy or withdrawn.

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