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View Full Version : Which Extra PreK Activity Would You Choose?


randomkid
09-04-2009, 12:20 AM
At DD's school, they have outside groups that come in once a week (different days), pull the kids out of class and they go to a 30 minute class/activity. Average cost is $40/month. I've decided to let DD take ONE of these classes this year. The classes offered are Spanish , Computer Tutor, FunBus and playball http://www.coachingplayball.com/playball/how_do_the_playball_programs_work_playball

I have no interest in FunBus and DD's teacher is Spanish and will be teaching some Spanish in her class. DD has shown an interest in the Computer class and playball. I asked her which is her favorite (all the kids got a free demo class the first week of school) and she said both of them. I truly wish I could put her in both, but I just can't pay $80/month in addition to her tuition and her dance class.

Here are my pros and cons:

Computer Tutor - DD has shown a growing interest in using the computer. When I picked her up at school the other day, she was sitting by herself at the computer in her classroom during free time. There are 13 boys in DD's class (out of 18 kids), so the classroom can be very noisy at times. I like that she would get a 30 minute break and have some quiet time away from the craziness once a week. I don't like that it's sedentary.

playball - Other parents have raved about this. It is very professional and teaches true athletic skills. DD has shown some athletic ability - kicking a ball while running, able to hit a ball (that is pitched to her) with a bat, etc. The groups are small - 8 kids at a time, so a lot of one on one time. DD has already lost some of her athletic skill that we saw when she was 2 and 3 years old because we just don't have the time to go out and do as much with her since I started working more hours/week and DH started a new job that has been very demanding. I like that it's active, teaches a skill and has a purpose, not just running around on the playground. However, it doesn't really give DD a break, unless just being out of the class for 30 minutes and in a smaller group would give her a break.

I really like both for totally different reasons, but am not sure what I want to do. I'm thinking (just now thought of this!) that she could do one of them this fall and the other in the spring. Pretty sure we can stop and start anytime. I'll look into that option. However, if you could only choose one, which would you choose and why?
ged
09-04-2009, 01:12 AM
I would go with playball. I think physical education is important, and I personally believe that all our kids will get more than enough computer exposure over their lifetime than is healthy. Even from an ergonomic standpoint, I don't think a lot of computer usage for young children is a good idea. My DD is also going to start Pre-K this Fall, and I would definitely pick playball. Sure, 30 minutes a week is not a lot, but I guess I have a personal thing against too much computer, and too little physical activity.
ett
09-04-2009, 01:19 AM
I would go with playball. I think physical education is important, and I personally believe that all our kids will get more than enough computer exposure over their lifetime than is healthy. Even from an ergonomic standpoint, I don't think a lot of computer usage for young children is a good idea. My DD is also going to start Pre-K this Fall, and I would definitely pick playball. Sure, 30 minutes a week is not a lot, but I guess I have a personal thing against too much computer, and too little physical activity.

:yeahthat: I would go with playball.
kijip
09-04-2009, 01:23 AM
Me three for playball. The computer is something that is so easy to learn at home.
baileygirl
09-04-2009, 01:34 AM
My first choice would be playball too.
katydid1971
09-04-2009, 01:36 AM
Another vote for playball. If she is really interested in computers you can go to pbskids.org or the disney site for safe pre-k types games for free at home. Ds and I like to play computer together on rainy days ;)
blisstwins
09-04-2009, 01:38 AM
Definitely playball--let her move around. As PP have said, she can do computer at home.
maestramommy
09-04-2009, 06:55 AM
I would go with the playball, just because I think I could teach her computer skills myself, but I probably couldn't teach her athletics.
bnme
09-04-2009, 06:59 AM
I would go woth play ball. I think this type of activity IS a break for kids.
jamesmom
09-04-2009, 08:00 AM
Another vote for playball.
caleymama
09-04-2009, 08:51 AM
Another vote for playball.

:yeahthat: For all the reasons mentioned already.
WitMom
09-04-2009, 09:57 AM
Another vote for playball. I think it's unanimous so far!

My reasons- there is always going to be time for computers. In kindergarten on up, she is going to be exposed to computers and I'm assuming since you are on the BBB, you are also exposing her in one way or another to computers at home.

Physical activity, on the other hand, is something that I think starts to dwindle as kids get older. As schools get more competitive and start to focus on academics, they try to make more time in the day, and recess and P.E. get the squeeze. You also said that you don't have as much time to do sports with her as you like. I think if you do playball, and she finds she enjoys it, she will be more likely to continue to be active as she gets older....either on her own or through some sort of organized program. There are HUGE benefits to that, both from a lifelong health and wellness perspective, as well as self esteem in adolescence/teen years.
amandabea
09-04-2009, 10:19 AM
I too would select playball for all the reasons already stated. Sounds like fun.
lmwbasye
09-04-2009, 10:21 AM
Definitely playball.
bubbaray
09-04-2009, 10:34 AM
Another vote for playball.
elephantmeg
09-04-2009, 10:44 AM
another vote for playball.
infocrazy
09-04-2009, 11:44 AM
There are 13 boys in DD's class (out of 18 kids

On topic, I would pick playball because I would like the physical activity in their day...

TOTALLY off topic, but I noticed the ratio in your class. DS1 has 30 kids in his preschool (2 rooms, 4 teachers), and only NINE are girls!!! Was 2005 the year of the boys or WHAT?!?!?
randomkid
09-04-2009, 06:20 PM
Looks unanimous! Playball it is! We'll try it out and see how she likes it. I know it's only 30 minutes a week, but I like that it introduces true skills.

DD gets plenty of physical activity, that was not my concern. They go outside 3 times a day at her school, but it's just free play. If it's raining, they will often go to the second floor that has a large multipurpose room and let the kids dance, run around and play. DD is quite active and fit, not sedentary by any means. I went with my parents and DD to Gatorland today and they have a large water play area there. DD was the only kid there at the time and she ran the perimeter of the play area, running through water along the way, at least 10 times without stopping. We had to make her sit down and take a break! I even said to my Mom "Well, no one can accuse my child of being a couch potato!" - LOL! Guess that's why I was considering the computer class, just as a change of pace. However, playball will also allow her another outlet for her energy.

Thanks!
randomkid
09-04-2009, 06:21 PM
TOTALLY off topic, but I noticed the ratio in your class. DS1 has 30 kids in his preschool (2 rooms, 4 teachers), and only NINE are girls!!! Was 2005 the year of the boys or WHAT?!?!?

Must have been because the other 4yo class at her school also has mostly boys. Not sure of the exact number, but I think there are only about 3 girls out of 18 in that class.

ETA: Her teacher and I were discussing this and she told me that about 2 or 3 years ago, the ration was reversed and the majority of the students were girls.