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Clubs In Elementary Schools

Discussion in 'Schoolgoers & Teens' started by Jas82688, Sep 26, 2019.

  1. Jas82688

    Jas82688 Silver IL'ite

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    hello ladies ..

    In need of your advice how important are the clubs in elementary school .. do they do any benefit for the kids or it’s just a tiresome for them .. I wanted to join my kid in such club at school where this program runs after hours in the evening weekly twice n parent has to volunteer by defaults I mean as a full time employee I have to squeeze my time n do stuff with kid ..


    Is it worth to spend that time on such clubs they are match and some STEAM related ..

    She is 1 st grade kid..
     
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  2. Angela123

    Angela123 Gold IL'ite

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    Can you elaborate on the club? Like which one do you want/ don't want the kid to join?
     
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  3. Jas82688

    Jas82688 Silver IL'ite

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    The clubs are mainly for maths board games and other are like destination imagination where they gave to choose a category from science , fine arts or engineering finance something like that ..

    This is first time for us so not sure if at all it worth for the time .. and we have to deal with other parents also to form a team which is tough a bit ..
     
  4. Angela123

    Angela123 Gold IL'ite

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    If your child is interested try it for this year. See how frequently you have to attend and if your kid like it or not. It definitely is helpful for meeting new people. My kid doesn't attend any clubs, but she is in scouts. There a few moms who are in charge are organizing events and I have take her on half days of school . Mostly it is monthly once and my kid loves it. You have to try it to know it.
     
  5. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    You are right about the challenges. It will take from your precious after-work time, and you have to deal with other parents. I gather you have a first grader and a toddler. I would suggest you take it easy till your older one enters 4th grade.

    The whole STEM and STEAM thing is overdone in elementary school in my opinion, but the programs you have mentioned, such as Destination Imagination are good and encourage thinking, planning and presentation skills in children.

    I have known many children from their pre-school years through college years. Not all children who do such events in elementary school go on to be creative, bright in math/science etc. in high school/college. But, many of the children who are creative, do well in science olympiads, science fairs, leadership would have done such activities in elementary school.

    If you can find alternates where you can pay for your child to experience these activities without you volunteering, that would be ideal.
    If it is a public school, you have to be prepared to spend time on kids' school activities or to supplement what is learnt in school. Some parents spend the time, some find alternates where they can pay for a similar expeience for the child.

    No hurry. You can slowly increase the time you devote to their afterschool stuff when both are of school-age.

    If I were a working-mom with young kids, I would give top priority to spending one-on-one time with each child as many evenings as possible over taking part in some elementary school club.
     
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  6. Jas82688

    Jas82688 Silver IL'ite

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    Thanks a lot Rihana for explaining it so clearly .. yes I have an active toddler so volunteering for this will take huge toll on me ..and I see parents also not easy they already started playing politics they will say we will join kid later say no .. I am fed up with dealing with this.. the concept itself is all about participating not winning then why are they worried about just winning the game .. they think joining new kid will make them perform low how come they come to that conclusion or judge ..

    You gave me enough explanation about pulling the plug .. I would rather put her in some art class over weekend so that I don’t have to hit my head with hammer .. thanks a lot ..
     
  7. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    You are welcome. When you, Anika or Vedhavalli post elementary school questions, it feels nice to walk down that memory lane.

    It is definitely about participating and not just winning. Even if parents get too competitive, thankfully the children often remain more focused on the fun and learning.

    That being said, forming the team, charting out the plan, agreeing on a meeting time, communicating the nitty-gritty to parents, and much more is involved in most of such activities. Having a new kid join after the team has already met a few times is not very easy. I have been the parent whose child was not allowed to join an existing team (felt so bad for a week : ) ). I have been the parent who had to say no to a parent who wanted to enroll his child in a team I was coordinating.

    Any team that involves young children means a lot of unpaid work for the main coach/coordinator. They have to take some decisions that will be in the better interest of the overall team.

    That being said : ) some coordinators/coaches get carried away with the coaching and treat winning as the #1 aim of the team. Sadly.

    You are a quick learner. Any hitting on the parental head with the hammer should have worthwhile benefits, such as child learning about Newton's laws. : )
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2019
  8. lavani

    lavani Platinum IL'ite

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    Ok . here is my 2 cent. my kid is going for these clubs. she is middle school . she goes for choir and debate and odessey of mind. she likes it and they are good.

    :) . Only reason she is allowed, because my county has a policy where the school will drop the kid home at 4:00 pm. then she goes to the care giver home till 6.

    i and my h have enough drama managing work and tracking other things. cannot take work from home every week for this.
     
  9. Vedhavalli

    Vedhavalli Platinum IL'ite

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    :hearteyes: hehehe will be back with many questions next week.
     
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