My 5 yr old Kindergartner, boy.
At 3-4 yrs old: Joined YMCA soccer. It was a disaster. He wouldn't be part
of the team, always tired as it was in the afternoon and he outgrew nap, don
't know what to do when in the field. We paid to get frustruction.
At 4 yrs old: started swimming, loved it. The passion slowly die over 12mths
. Pulled out. Went back after 3mths, maybe body is more ready, progressed so
fast that he got totally encouraged. Still in swimming, LOVE it, progress
really well.
At 4 yrs old: started art class for a year. this area he has lots of passion
but no talent at all.
At 4 yrs old: joined young kids basketball (just ball handling, not team
sports), he shines in class, fall in love with basketball since then. Very
interested in watching NBA, knows each player's strength and weakness,
comments usually right on. Always impress other adults on playgroud, but
didn't start basketball team play yet since still too young. Will do so soon
.This experience set up his confidence in sports.
At 5 yrs old: Joined 2 mths tennis, loved it. Can be part of the team now,
meaning do what he's supposed to do, do the same as others. Always want to
play, but no time...
At 5 yrs old: Joined baseball team, loved it, became No. 1 or 2 best player
in that program. The only Asian kid in that program.Clearly enjoys team
sports at this point.
At 5 yrs old: Loves running, joined a school running club. Started to run 1
mile at a time, now 3 miles with run/walk combination. Always run till
teacher asks him to stop.
At 5 yrs old: started chess, mostly home teaching, will need to find a
different way for him. progressing very well. Loves it.
Go to Home Depot once a month, loves it. Ask to do that daily.
Others: Very good at monkey bar at playground, can go from one end to
another, then come back. Another area always impress other adults at the
scene.
We decided we will not expose him to football or ice hockey, too dangerous.
We are confident if we expose him to another sports, he will fall in love
with it again, so from this point on, parents need to be strategic.
BUT... BUT... Mom is short daddy is tall. So far he got mom's height which
will really limit him in sports. We do hope he can do some serious sports,
at least be on school team. But it will all depends on his height.
Also he does not like to sit for long time. Like the other post said, so
reading is a challenge. Math got into GT, so no problem.
Music: Never started, just no time. But want to start piano in a couple of
month. Not try to be pianoist, rather gain some basic foundation of music.
BTW, if you want your kid to do more extra-curriculum, private school is a
way to go, they'll usually take care of a couple more for you to save your
weekend time.
My philosophy is elementary academics is so easy and still plenty of time,
golden time to develop extra-curriculum.
