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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 8, 2006 - 23 How to balance your child's studies with after-school activities (NC)--Today's families are busy - parents and children alike. A survey shows that the majority of Canadian children (86 per cent) are involved in at least one extracurricular activity this school year. The survey, conducted by IpsosReid, also found that on average, children will spend 4.6 hours per week participating in after-school activities. The poll found that team sports is the most popular after-school activity (57 per cent), followed by individual sports (43 per cent), music (31 per cent), school clubs (15 per cent) and dance (12 per cent). But how much is too much? Parents often ask, "How do I.know if I've over-scheduled my child?" Dr. Donna McGhie-Richmond, Educational Specialist with Kumon, says parents should look for the fol lowing indicators: · Grumpiness - For example, when your star goalie no longer enjoys going to hockey practice or your budding bal lerina is reluctant to go off to dance class. It's just not fun any more. · Fatigue - Kids and parents are all tired. · Your child's grades -Parents should ensure that home work is not being shelved in favour of extracurricular activ ities. · Your child is showing signs of stress, such as regular crying, yelling, or acting- out behaviour. Unusual withdraw al can also mean your child is stressed. Dr. McGhie-Richmond says parents should decide how many activities their child should be involved in every week, based on the schedule and the dynamics of their individual family. "That's going to depend on the child, how many children are in the family and what the adults in the family are already doing," she says. "It's really a family decision, and it's important to involve children in that discussion and bring them in on the decision-making." If children have developed good study habits from a young age, are doing well in school and are not spending time struggling with their homework, they will have more free time available to pursue after-school activities. "Educational programs help children develop good study habits early so they can free up time to explore other inter ests. They'll also have more confidence to approach chal lenging assignments." - News Canada Fall 2006 Registration for Preschool, JK and SK March Break and Summer Camp Registrations! We offer a unique learning environment facilitated by progressive, dynamic and warm Early Childhood Educators and Arts Specialists. This half day morning or afternoon Reggio inspired program provides daily captivating opportunities for creative arts experiences including dance, visual arts, music and drama. Our early learning methodologies follow and reflect an enriched Ontario Curriculum and offer an exciting introduction to Mathematics, Language Arts Science and Technology. We would love to meet you and your child and share our program with you Please call to arrange an interview and classroom visit. The Oakville Academy for the Arts offers an array of fun, exciting and educational camps taught by our trained, warm and fun loving Instructors for children between the ages of 3 to 12 years of age. Our camps include a multitude of fantastic half day and full day programs such as Fine Arts, Arts Fundamental, Musical Theatre, Dance Integration, Arts Integration, Preschool and Music. Please call or drop by The Oakville Academy for the Arts to have a tour of our facility. 1011 Upper Middle Road & Eighth Line, Oakville, Ontario L6H 4L5 1011 Upper Middle Road & Eighth Line, Oakville, Ontario L6H 4L5 Phone: 905.844.ARTS (2787) www.oakvilleacademy.com Phone: 905.844.ARTS (2787) www.oakvilleacademy.com