What about activities for little girls?

[SandraDumas]

Conservative Christian Moms-

What have you found to be the activities that worked for your daughters? I am trying to decide whether to get dd back into activities and which one. We are talking the 4-8 age range.

We can only afford (time, stress and money-wise) ONE and ONLY ONE activity per child...if she takes gymnastics she can't take music lessons or vice versa. Even if she took something free that would be it b/c we are a one-car family and I can only get her there on Saturdays or Mondays or weeknights.

She's interested in gymnastics, but I think that's just because she used to take it. She is a bright, happy kid and probably would do well with whatever she was in. But I am concerned about worldly influences, and wonder if you've had more success with certain things than others in that area.

Another idea is to start atttending Awanas on Wednesday nights, and just letting that be her thing. (And it's free)

[dangermom]

We've enjoyed Musikgarten and kung fu (not at a studio, but in a guy's garage; very homely and inexpensive).

[Jami]

We do ballet and music lessons here, but not until age 5. My 3.5 year old (getting close to 4) just has to copy big siblings and wait her turn. :) We have a Royal Academy Ballet video that she likes to "practice" with and her sister "teaches" her the positions. If I were in your place, I might just do Awana for now and maybe storytime at the library (that should be free) and save up to start something in another year or two. Buy some inexpensive rhythm instruments and scarves, turn on a CD and let her do music and dance creatively at home. Go places where she can climb and jump if gymnastics is her thing. And you guys swim in the summer, right?

If you're talking long term decisions though, one activity per child, then I have to say music lessons trumps a sport for me all things being equal. With tennis shoes, nearby parks, bikes, a swimming pool my kids can get adequate exercise and I can teach them to throw and kick a ball, etc. for now. I really think music helps to train the mind and soul in such a unique way though that some sort of lessons are as fundamentally a part of our homeschool as math or writing.

I didn't really notice your comment about avoiding worldly influences. I guess being influenced in ways that differ from your family's beliefs is always a risk when interacting with other families and children. Even in a church environment. I personally think that it's better for my children to interact in limited ways with children whose families do make other choices at this young age so I can guide them and cement why we do things differently (not necessarily better though) in our family. But when choosing a ballet school or class we were deliberate in choosing a place that did not offer hip-hop, dance squad, excessive competitions, etc. because we prefer a focus on classical ballet and possibly jazz in later years, but not modern "showgirls" type classes. We found that most of the families at our school had similar preferences for their daughters and that was why they chose that particular school as well. I would assume gymnastic studios are similar.

My son plays soccer on a local soccer team, not through any sort of Christian program. Are there kids on the team who speak or whose parents differ on what's allowed in their homes, certainly. It just gives me opportunity to talk about what makes our family different and to remind my son what I expect of him, even when other children do differently.

Jami

[Tracey in TX]

If worldly influences are your concern, talk with the perspective coach/instructor before commiting to an activity. We've had some amazing examples...and others I'd like to toss out the window. Get a feel for the other girls. That can often be accomplished by talking with their moms.

All of my children took gymnastics, with two doing competitive gym. I think it's a great sport for young children. We put more time and money on sports than music b/c that's our children's natural talents.

Is there a rec program which introduces children to a myriad of activities? That is a great place to begin.

[gandpsmommy]

I'm not sure I understand the concern with worldly influences in the activities that you named. My 6yo dd has been doing gymnastics since she was 2.5yo, and I can't imagine how it could be a negative threat to your religious beliefs, unless you object to the uniforms? Having said that, I think I would be inclined to let her do gymnastics again for a year or two, and then switch to music lessons. The only potential problem I can forsee with allowing her to do gymnastics now is that she might be very good at it and enjoy it so much that she would want to continue with it when she is old enough to compete. This would require a larger time and financial commitment. But, I don't even know what Awama is, so I'm not sure I'm the best one to advise you.