For children today in this new generation, parents are blank on whether or not their 5-year-old child needs additional classes. But with the competitiveness and the zeal to offer our children the best, this question comes in more as a wonder. But to take a young child to extra classes is not something that is taken lightly. It will be fitting to unwrap some of the things that one needs to take into consideration when thinking of this decision. At Delhi Public School Warangal, recognised as the top best day and residential school in Warangal, we understand the challenges parents face and strive to support families in making informed decisions about their child’s educational journey.
Understand whether your child needs extra classes
At the given age, that is five years of age, children are usually in the process of moving from preschool to kindergarten. This is the time they begin their education process meaning that everything is new to them. However, there are cases where at a young age a child demonstrates some inclination or is gifted in understanding some subjects and one should always remember that children’s development is different.
Academic milestones for 5-year-olds
In the process of parenting, every parent will always yearn for the best for his or her child. It is true that at least once in your life as parents you asked the question: does the child of five need additional classes? Here we look at what you should expect as a parent in your child’s learning journey.
Maths skills
- Your child should be able to count to twenty.
- They should be in a position to point at figures as well as read figures from 1 to 10.
- Arithmetical operations that involve the addition and subtraction of easily manageable numbers.
- A child of the age of 5 should understand simple patterns. It involves putting objects or pictures in order each time they are used, grouping, and sorting.
- Naming and describing 2 2-dimensional shapes as well as measurement aspects.
- Days and weeks, months, basic time reckoning (nearest hour).
- Understanding the lessons about the symbols meaning of “greater than” and “less than”.
Language skills
- It narrows down to using new words in both reading sessions as well as conversation.
- Describing objects and making decisions based on assessment of options.
- Learning to read – letters and their sounds.
- Sitting and writing their name with a pencil. It is also important to see them holding a pencil correctly.
- For security reasons, it is important to memorise their address, and phone number was the norm.
Independence and social maturity
- As for the interaction between the groups and the development of problem-solving and cooperation, it is also important to organise activities.
- Strengthen memorising abilities and perseverance.
- Let them learn their address and phone number by heart.
- Bear in mind that each child that you come across is a special masterpiece in his or her own right.
- As a parent, you should go with the ‘gut feeling’ that you have developed over the years and ensure that the atmosphere is right for their development process.
Understanding the benefits of extra classes:
Extra classes positively impact developmental in four major areas —developmental, cognitive, creativity and innovation, and social and emotional learning.
Developmental benefits:
1. Fine motor skills –
Extra classes like art, craft, or music can enhance fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which are essential for writing, typing, and other everyday activities. By developing these skills, children can improve their overall dexterity and coordination. This may not always be a given for different kids and classes where they can see others like them helps them gain a sense of camaraderie with other kids.
2. Gross motor skills –
Physical education or sports classes can develop gross motor skills, promoting overall physical fitness, balance, and coordination. This can help children engage in physical activities with confidence and enthusiasm, setting them up for a lifetime of health and well-being. This would typically be recommended specifically by a pediatrician or a licensed professional who’d diagnose if your child is indeed of different physical development support.
3. Emotional intelligence –
Extra classes can help children recognize, understand, and manage their emotions, developing emotional intelligence. This is critical for building strong relationships, achieving personal goals, and maintaining mental health.
Cognitive benefits:
1. Problem-solving skills –
If your child is gifted, helping them challenge their mind through classes like puzzles, chess, or coding can improve problem-solving skills and logical thinking is a positive step towards giving them the right environment. By tackling complex challenges, children can develop resilience, critical thinking, and analytical skills. After all, it’s said even Albert Einstein was not born a genius; but was taught to think differently.
2. Critical thinking –
With most parents being occupied with work, and other parenting responsibilities, sometimes, it’s not possible to help foster an environment which challenges your child to think differently, or think critically. You may wonder how this is needed at the tender age of five –but it’s an early stage wherein a child can be taught to question the status quo. By encouraging critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation of information, children learn to distinguish between fact and opinion, make informed decisions, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
3. Memory and concentration –
Extra classes can improve memory, attention, and concentration abilities. By engaging in various activities, children can enhance their ability to focus, learn, and retain new information.
4. Creativity and innovation –
At times some kids are gifted and benefit from an environment which not only stimulates them, but also challenges them from a developmental standpoint. This could be related to sport, music, or the arts –that’s where it’s key to
5. Artistic expression and innovation –
Extra classes like art, music, or drama can foster creativity and self-expression. By exploring various art forms, children can tap into their imagination, build confidence, and develop a unique perspective on the world. Storytelling in particular helps build connections between neural networks, by improving the communication between different brain regions, and promoting creative problem-solving and innovation. Creativity is often about linking seemingly unrelated ideas to solve complex problems or common situations. By giving the brain instructions early on, we are teaching our children to consider situations with much more imagination and finesse than might be possible in ordinary life.
Social-emotional learning:
1. Empathy and understanding –
Children begin developing a more empathetic and inclusive worldview by engaging with peers from different backgrounds and perspectives. This interaction inures them with an awareness of how others might differ but helps to introduce people outside of their self and immediate caregivers on various aspects..
2. Conflict resolution –
Extra classes in conflict resolution and communication skills will be instrumental in conducting effective conflict resolution. Therefore, equipping children with the art of navigating disagreements and having tough conversations will enhance their bonding with others and make them effective communicators.
Some of the drawbacks of the extra classes
While extra classes may contain a lot of good in them, some possible drawbacks ought to be kept in mind also. The right kind of balance is required for a healthy child development. This is not one of those decisions which one can take lightly and in isolation without consulting a professional specialisation in child development and child learning. There’s an apparent need to first, even assess if your child needs any of these and would benefit from them at all. It’s important to note that developmental delays don’t necessarily require extra classes per se. Many times, it is the combination of behavioural traits with some specific tests which would be used to determine your child’s special needs.
1. Overwhelm and stress
Too many extra classes may overwhelm and stress a child, which impacts negatively on their mental health. It becomes of essence that these classes be kept manageable where they do not overwhelm. All the more reason for only a qualified professional to decide whether this is necessary.
2. Burnout and exhaustion
Excessive attendance in extra classes can result in physical and mental fatigue that can decrease a child’s motivation and interest. Adequate periods of rest and recuperation should be allowed.
3. Limited free time
Excessive extra schooling can leave very little time to relax, play, and explore—all critical needs for any child to grow into a healthy and balanced human being.
4. Pressure to perform
High pressure to perform well in extra classes may result in anxiety and a decrease in self-esteem, which is quite negative for a child’s emotional and psychological development.
5. Impact on social life
Excessive extra-class activities may leave limited time to socialise; this may have a negative impact on the social skills of the child and his relationship with friends.
6. Narrow focus
Extra classes in one area may overemphasise that area leading to a narrow focus and ignorance in other vital skills and interests’ development.
7. Lack of downtime
Free time also has an impact on the mental and physical health of a child; therefore, extra classes should be well balanced with relaxation and playing time.
8. Unrealistic expectations
The setting of unrealistic goals through extra classes can only result in disappointment and decreased motivation; such a situation needs to be avoided.
It is worth considering the needs and interests of each child and finding a balance between the pros and cons of extra classes. In this way, parents and educators will ensure the opportunity for children to develop in a healthy and well-rounded way.
What you can do as a parent
Listening to the child and observing their behaviour it is important to identify their interests Areas of proficiency and developing needs. Their cues can help you decide what classes, if at all, would serve you well. Parents have their relatives and close friends who can give them suggestions concerning their child depending on their interaction with the child. Strike a balance between structured activities and unstructured playtime. Remember that downtime is crucial for a child’s overall well-being. As such, it is preferable to concentrate on the effectiveness of the programs that the child is interested in and benefit him or her.
It is recommended that there should not be high expectations regarding achievement in different fields of interest in children. This creates a culture of wonder in the children and naturally leads them to find what interests them.
Therefore it is recommended that extra classes for a 5-year-old child should be done with a lot of concern about the child’s development. Although group classes may also be beneficial to a certain extent in helping children learn better and getting them valuable skills, these classes should not overpower a healthy childhood. If observation, balance, and quality of child care are given the topmost priority by parents, then childhood development can be done without any flaws.
Bear in mind that all children are different, and thus some measures may be effective in the case with one child but not in the case with another. In the long run, what should be aimed at is preparing the environment which would allow the child to develop freely and accomplish his/her potential to the extent possible.