Too many out-of-school programs endanger the well-being of children

What effect do extracurricular activities have on families??

So-called extracurricular activities are essential to the well-being and general development of children. Nevertheless, parents should be careful when planning such activities. Researchers have now found that if children take part in too many sports courses or other activities, this can do a great deal of damage.

The researchers at Edge Hill University found in their recent research that having too many out-of-school activities with children means they spend less time with their relatives and less money in their families. In addition, the energy reserves of the children were reduced. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Sport, Education and Society".

Extracurricular activities are important for our children. However, having children participate in too many of these activities can have a negative impact on the child and their family. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com)

Activities are important for children

Children should attend extracurricular activities in their free time. This will improve the overall development and well-being of children. However, some parents are overzealous about this topic. As a result, children have an extra-curricular program almost every day of the week. Too many activities, however, can significantly harm the affected children.

How many activities do children take part in??

The majority of the children (88 percent) in the study participated in organized activities four to five days a week. 58 percent of the participating children even participated in one or more activities per day. Out-of-school involvement was therefore considered to be dominant in family life, especially for families with more than one child, explain the researchers. As a result, families spent less time together, and in addition, children's energy reserves were reduced and households had less money to spend on other things.

Parents often can not properly respond to inclinations

For the current study, the researchers surveyed nearly 50 families from twelve different primary schools. Last year's survey found that the majority of parents have difficulty keeping up with the interests of their children. The biggest challenge for her was to respond to the child's inclinations. Many parents also found themselves unable to meet the changing interests of the child.

Family relationships are significantly burdened

Parents initiate and facilitate their children's participation in organized activities by demonstrating that they are good parents, says study author Sharon Wheeler of Edge Hill University in the UK. The results of the current study, however, make it clear that the reality may be slightly different. While children may experience some of these benefits, a tightly organized activity plan can significantly impact family resources and family relationships. This may potentially affect the development and well-being of children, adds Wheeler.

Children should move a lot

Until a healthy balance is found, extracurricular activities will continue to take precedence over family time and may do more harm than good, the researchers explain. At the same time, it should be noted that children's lifestyles should not be impaired. If children do not get much physical activity, it causes a number of health problems, such as the development of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver. To protect your child from these diseases, encourage them to be as active as possible. (As)