According to a specialist, it is essential to take into account the biological rhythms of children when it comes to choosing activities for them. Indeed, whether it is dance, football, music, or swimming, the range of activities for children is varied and abundant. However, it is important to consider the physiological needs and life rhythm of each child in order to ensure their well-being and development.
Perhaps you dedicated your first weekend of the school year to the associations forum in your city… This step is almost essential for those who want to enroll their children in a sports or leisure activity throughout the year. Sometimes, it can feel like a real jungle: what to choose? What schedule to adopt? And how to reconcile all this with school? franceinfo gathered advice from Claire Leconte, emeritus professor of educational psychology and specialist in the biological rhythms of children and adolescents. Before filling out the tedious registration forms, the researcher recommends taking time to think. ### 1 No more than two activities “It is better not to overload children with too many activities because it is important for them to have time for themselves, personal time, or even time to do nothing,” insists Claire Leconte. “Children need moments of doing absolutely nothing. It’s really essential,” she adds. She emphasizes the importance of these pause times where children can observe, develop their creativity, and reflect. These are not lost moments at all; on the contrary. ### 2 Vary the types of activities The specialist recommends not imposing too many activities and trying to vary them. “You can propose two activities: one that is more cultural or artistic, and another that is possibly sporty. Because we don’t know where they will head next. If they prefer the cultural activity to the sporty one, they can, when they are older, devote more time to that activity.” ### 3 No activities after school Claire Leconte also advises against enrolling children in activities after school. “Most schools operate on a four-day week, so children have Wednesday or Saturday free. There are even activities on Sunday. It is these days that should be prioritized for activities, but certainly not after school.” ### 4 Let children choose For children to become passionate about an activity, the specialist recommends letting them choose. Parents should not impose their choices on children based on what they were not able to do when they were young. It is essential that it is a personal choice of the child. Claire Leconte also suggests testing activities before committing to a full year. “It is often proposed to parents and children to have a single free trial session, which is not enough. There should be at least three sessions for the child to really see if they like it and if they wish to enroll in that activity, or if they prefer to move on to something else.” ### 5 Avoid “school-like” activities If the idea of enrolling your child in an English class tempts you, Claire Leconte advises against this option. “I find it a bit ridiculous because now in elementary school, there is already a second language to learn. Children already have a lot of work with homework and lessons, so adding another activity can be complicated. For younger children, it is possible to do nursery rhymes in a foreign language, but these are simply nursery rhymes and not real learning,” concludes the specialist.Source of the article: Francetvinfo
