How much afterschooling is too much?

[Anonymous]

1st grade mom:

We listen to audiobooks that are above grade level and talk about plot points, what we think will happen next. We work on writing--specifically, DC have been writing a photo journal as a gift for the grandparents this fall. I do talking word problems in math all the time and have put DC in charge of paying cash for things in stores and figuring out the change we should get back. We have music during the week too.

But I think of all of that as support for what is happening in school

That's ambitious and impressive. I also notice that it is time spent with the children--not standing over them with a homework hammer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

1st grade mom:

We listen to audiobooks that are above grade level and talk about plot points, what we think will happen next. We work on writing--specifically, DC have been writing a photo journal as a gift for the grandparents this fall. I do talking word problems in math all the time and have put DC in charge of paying cash for things in stores and figuring out the change we should get back. We have music during the week too.

But I think of all of that as support for what is happening in school

That's ambitious and impressive. I also notice that it is time spent with the children--not standing over them with a homework hammer.

Thanks! We picked a school that doesn't start homework until later so that helps. We also try to spend time hiking and just enjoying nature.

There is also plenty of time spent watching Phineas and Ferb and playing Legos and generally being goofballs.

At the end of the day, I'm trying to raise DC who want to be a lifelong learners. For my family, it is a journey, not a race.

[Anonymous]

24 hours per day is more than sufficient in my household.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

1st grade mom:

We listen to audiobooks that are above grade level and talk about plot points, what we think will happen next. We work on writing--specifically, DC have been writing a photo journal as a gift for the grandparents this fall. I do talking word problems in math all the time and have put DC in charge of paying cash for things in stores and figuring out the change we should get back. We have music during the week too.

But I think of all of that as support for what is happening in school

That's ambitious and impressive. I also notice that it is time spent with the children--not standing over them with a homework hammer.

Thanks! We picked a school that doesn't start homework until later so that helps. We also try to spend time hiking and just enjoying nature.

Yep, PP, this is how my parents did it. It worked.
There is also plenty of time spent watching Phineas and Ferb and playing Legos and generally being goofballs.

At the end of the day, I'm trying to raise DC who want to be a lifelong learners. For my family, it is a journey, not a race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been consistent with my kids doing extra math since K.
Now, it is clear that they need extra help in the language arts areas.
That would mean extra lessons every day in at least two subjects.
I follow the curricula in science and foreign languages and just reinforce what is being taught in school. But for math, I have a separate curriculum but try to go along with what is actually being taught in the classroom. Now, for language arts, I have been considering outside tutoring which would likely be a whole new approach (I think they need a new approach).
Is this too much? Does it label me as a tiger mom?
FWIW, they do very well in math, probably because of the extra support that I give them. That gives them a self esteem boost.

Notice how she omits child's age?
Mom has self-esteem problems.

[Anonymous]

I completely understand, OP.

For some children, my own included, "just reading" is not sufficient. My 8 year old bookworm reads several grades ahead yet has difficulty inferencing and expressing himself in a timely manner both verbally and in written form. He has speech therapy for it. Reading is not the problem.

I found an excellent website called The Critical Thinking Company ( http://www.criticalthinking.com/ ), and got him Inference Jones, since that targeted his issues.
Everything on the website looks very good, though. Take your pick! If you have concerns about a learning disability, however, it is best to have your child evaluated by a professional (developmental pediatrician).

And as for how much afterschooling is too much, trust your instincts, and not what DCUM "lax" parents tell you (while some of them secretly push their kids twice as hard, thinking it's a competition, ).
My 8 year old has extra math, weekend school in his native language, sports, choir, language arts, plus his regular homework. My 3 year old has violin and gym, plus her regular preschool. They watch TV, play with their friends, have sleepovers, go to museums, play chess with their father, and grub around in the backyard as well.

If that makes me a tiger parent, well so be it.

[Anonymous]

What the hell is "afterschooling"? Do you mean homework?

[Anonymous]

Totally agree! Kids really have too much homework. Teachers should understand that kids already spend a great portion of their day sitting in school and learning. Our kids are deprived of a chance to relax, or to make friends or spend time with family. With less assignments, kids would have less pressure and could really enjoy life. Then there won't be any need to use so called "homework for you" services. Homework is a must but not too much home reinforcement

[Anonymous]

If you think your kids need both, go ahead and do both. Look, my kid is in after school math, 1 club sport and 2 rec sports, and 4 different fine arts programs (dance, signing, instrument, acting). That’s 7 enrichment programs PLUS math tutoring. And she still has time to sit around and complain about not being in a gymnastics or karate class. Okay? We have way more time in the day than we think we have.