We want our children to grow to be well-rounded adults, so we
enroll them in ballet, soccer, piano and swim lessons at an
early age. But while physical activity and teamwork are
important to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth,
how do you know when all the extracurricular activities are too
much? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, it might be
time to reevaluate the level of your child’s extracurricular
activities. Children grow and mature at different rates. While
there are obvious benefits to any physical activity or learning
opportunity, most children are not ready for organized team
sports until they are about six years old, when they are better
able to follow directions and understand the concept of team
work. Prior to this, children can stay active and healthy
through unstructured “free play.” Try out one activity at a
time, and work with your child to find activities that he or she
enjoys. A child shouldn’t be pushed into a sport or activity,
and doing so can have a negative imp