How to balance CCA with academic

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:18:38 GMT

expans — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:18:38 GMT

Dun worry too much.....it all seems overwhelming in the beginning. I felt exactly the same too but over time, the child adapts and you will find that he/she will no longer feel as tired. Perhaps in my case, it helps that my son enjoys the sports he is in

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:24:11 GMT

sall — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 07:24:11 GMT

Time spent on CCA is never wasted. There is a lot of things the students can learn from CCA, could be some new skills, commitment, discipline, etc. It’s better for them to stay back for CCA rather than hang out at shopping malls or go home early to play computer games.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:22:18 GMT

concernmother — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:22:18 GMT

3kiddos:
Also wanted to add that if your child has just started on sports CCA at a more intense level, it's normal that they come back drained. However, once their bodies adapt to the physical routine, I actually find that while my kids are physically tired after training, they're mentally more alert, which actually helps in studies Hope that helps.

Yes, my dd always comes back drained. Her CCA (3 times a week till 6pm). By the time she reaches home, she has time to do homework and then sleep. I am soo worry. Do not know whether it is worth it. She is in Express, Sec 1 but a slow learner.
So so worry.....

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:09:58 GMT

sall — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:09:58 GMT

puppyfairy:
For CCA, it does not always boils down to interest as it is also depended on the school's need.

My son is facing the same issue of balancing school work and CCA. Just this morning, he told me he feels stressed and overwhelmed. Because of this, he zones out and spends time watching mindless programs on youtube.

He doesn't have to go to sch this morning?

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:20:26 GMT

puppyfairy — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:20:26 GMT

For CCA, it does not always boils down to interest as it is also depended on the school's need.

My son is facing the same issue of balancing school work and CCA. Just this morning, he told me he feels stressed and overwhelmed. Because of this, he zones out and spends time watching mindless programs on youtube.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:25:21 GMT

sall — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:25:21 GMT

Actually, my girl has no problem coping with cca and studies. I just wanted to highlight the suggestions given by Meinteel. I find them not feasible at all.

In dd’s sch, cca training starts immediately after lessons end. So no time to do any hw before training.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:05:06 GMT

ascklee — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:05:06 GMT

I find getting the CCA schedule ahead of time very useful. My daughter is involved with SYF this year, and I got her to ask the teacher about the schedule. Obtaining this schedule ahead of time has allowed her to plan her revision, our own family holiday, etc.

Sincerely,
ascklee
Obtain free add maths materials from http://ascklee.org/

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:27:39 GMT

3kiddos — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:27:39 GMT

Also wanted to add that if your child has just started on sports CCA at a more intense level, it’s normal that they come back drained. However, once their bodies adapt to the physical routine, I actually find that while my kids are physically tired after training, they’re mentally more alert, which actually helps in studies Hope that helps.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:26:51 GMT

3kiddos — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:26:51 GMT

sall:

Sports cca may end at 7pm, by the time she gets home, could be almost 8pm. If she has a slow dinner, followed by an hr of relaxation before starting on hw, she'll only start work at 9.30 or 10.00pm? How to complete the hw?

What time do her classes end before CCA? Can she complete some if not most of her homework before CCA starts? Dh and I were both in competitive CCAs in JC+uni and we trained up to 4-5 times a week but we always managed to find time between classes or before training starts to study or do HW.

My ds is in P4 and he's also training 3 times a week already. Since I can, I pick him up straight after sch at 1pm, take him home for lunch and HW and then drop him back at sch for training (4-6pm). Since he's still young, I keep a close eye but by sec school (we do hope he's still training and competing then), we would expect him to manage his own time.

We do find that such CCAs, while taxing, are very fulfilling, a good balance to academics and the kids build strong friendships too. Really develops character, in our opinion.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:20:50 GMT

JRLam — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:20:50 GMT

daddy2007:
rubydoll:
I really wonder how kids cope up with both this hectic CCA and studies!!!!!!!

My son in sports cca - 3 days per week returns home drained!!!!!!
Only got time to finish school works. No time for TV , STORY BOOKS, PARTY, not even got time to complete tution home work.
Pls share with me how kids are coping this secondary school life.
Don't think this only apply to secondary sch life. My nephew in SCGS primary has her CCA 5 days a week and she is only in P4

Hi, mind to share which CCA in SCGS is that?

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:10:38 GMT

daddy2007 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:10:38 GMT

rubydoll:
I really wonder how kids cope up with both this hectic CCA and studies!!!!!!!

My son in sports cca - 3 days per week returns home drained!!!!!!
Only got time to finish school works. No time for TV , STORY BOOKS, PARTY, not even got time to complete tution home work.
Pls share with me how kids are coping this secondary school life.

Don't think this only apply to secondary sch life. My nephew in SCGS primary has her CCA 5 days a week and she is only in P4

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:21:29 GMT

Fat Mama — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:21:29 GMT

DS is in IP school. He joins the uniform group, 2nd CCA community service club n takes 3rd lang. Once a week, on early days, he will stay back play football with friends.

He sleeps at 10.30 daily and he is enjoying sec school tremendously.
His Sec 1 GPA was 3.6.

Actually I dont know how he can manage his tons of hw. I think its all abt time mgmt.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:25:53 GMT

sall — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:25:53 GMT

meinteel:

Sports are also a good form of stress relief. When training ends at 6pm, it is good for the child to take a shower and have a slow dinner. Be sure to reduce his carbo intake and fill up with proteins instead. Give him an hour or so to relax (Tv/music, depending on his interest) before completing his homework.

Sports cca may end at 7pm, by the time she gets home, could be almost 8pm. If she has a slow dinner, followed by an hr of relaxation before starting on hw, she'll only start work at 9.30 or 10.00pm? How to complete the hw?

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:53:58 GMT

nani — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:53:58 GMT

meinteel:
It is important that your child enters a cca of his own choice, something that they consider it fun and enjoyable. When you're doing it with a group of friends it can be rather enjoyable however tough the training is.

Their choice?? Enjoyable but will it come at the price of over tired? By the time they complete their work and with researching of projects etc, is near midnight :roll:

Hence, is the time spent over the 2 bonus pts worth it?

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:59:17 GMT

meinteel — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:59:17 GMT

It is important that your child enters a cca of his own choice, something that they consider it fun and enjoyable. When you’re doing it with a group of friends it can be rather enjoyable however tough the training is.

Sports are also a good form of stress relief. When training ends at 6pm, it is good for the child to take a shower and have a slow dinner. Be sure to reduce his carbo intake and fill up with proteins instead. Give him an hour or so to relax (Tv/music, depending on his interest) before completing his homework.

Taking more proteins (choose lean cut meat) instead of carbo (bread, rice) will help him stay awake. Cultivate a habit of eating till only 80% full so as not to induce sleep through food. The protein will also help them repair damaged tissues and encourage growth.

Instead of gingseng, try drinking green tea or other chinese tea. Green tea is in the culture now Side efforts? Slimming~

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:02:59 GMT

Chengg — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:02:59 GMT

My son chose a CCA that is very demanding on his time, he is in a uniform group. But because he really enjoys it, to him the time spent there is worth it. I have to teach him how to manage his time and how to be more efficient. I think it can be done but the child must be willing to stretch and work faster and spend less time on tv etc.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:36:58 GMT

sall — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:36:58 GMT

Yes Pinky, this is what I do too. Keep her company while she does her work, and tutor her if she needs help. :celebrate:

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:29:04 GMT

pinky — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:29:04 GMT

sall:
My dd enjoys her sport CCA a lot. So to me, it is a form of relaxation for her, good way to de-stress and forget abt sch work during cca training. So when she gets home at 7.30pm on cca days, there is no need to watch tv, or relax further. Just shower, take dinner, do homework , sleep.

I agree. My son is in the school band and they have practices 3 times a wk but he enjoys it very much. I guess kids dun find it a chore if they truly enjoy the learning process, makes friends and better still, promoted base on their skills and capabilities. That sense of achievement is a catalyst for them to work even harder. Of course he complains of tiredness and tons of homework to complete but to support him, I stay up late with him as he does his homework, make his favourite drink and snack so he won't feel so lonely.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:08:33 GMT

sall — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:08:33 GMT

My dd enjoys her sport CCA a lot. So to me, it is a form of relaxation for her, good way to de-stress and forget abt sch work during cca training. So when she gets home at 7.30pm on cca days, there is no need to watch tv, or relax further. Just shower, take dinner, do homework , sleep.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:05:02 GMT

teh_oh — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:05:02 GMT

rubydoll:
Ginseng should not be given to children. In addition, pregnant or lactating women should not use ginseng, as it may lower estrogen production

Read more: Ginseng - dose, children, effects, adults, drug, people, used, medication, women, Definition, Purpose, Description, Recommended dosages, Precautions, Side effects, Interactions http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Ginseng.html#ixzz1EaZGWlh0

Hi I checked from internet only. you may also go google type ginseng side effects , you will get a lot of info.

Hi,
Thanks for sharing. My mother-in-law gave me ginseng when I was pregnant and this is drank regularly (once every 3 weeks) in the household.
I should remind my husband to cut down on drinking ginseng too regularly too.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:49:27 GMT

rubydoll — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:49:27 GMT

Hi Ongmum

yes , my son also just entered sec 1 this year. With sports cca 3days/ week and one hour travel makes him faigue .
Any one with older kids with same problem pls help.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:43:29 GMT

rubydoll — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:43:29 GMT

Ginseng should not be given to children. In addition, pregnant or lactating women should not use ginseng, as it may lower estrogen production

Read more: Ginseng - dose, children, effects, adults, drug, people, used, medication, women, Definition, Purpose, Description, Recommended dosages, Precautions, Side effects, Interactions http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Ginseng.html#ixzz1EaZGWlh0

Hi I checked from internet only. you may also go google type ginseng side effects , you will get a lot of info.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:59:56 GMT

teh_oh — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:59:56 GMT

rubydoll:
I really wonder how kids cope up with both this hectic CCA and studies!!!!!!!

My son in sports cca - 3 days per week returns home drained!!!!!!
Only got time to finish school works. No time for TV , STORY BOOKS, PARTY, not even got time to complete tution home work.
Pls share with me how kids are coping this secondary school life.
I read abt GINGSING to relieve fatigue but it also got lot of side effects.
How can i help him?Pls help

Hi,
can you share about the side effects of Ginseng?
Thanks. Because I am giving my primary schooler ginseng drink on a regular basis and this is the first time I heard about side effects.

Reply to How to balance CCA with academic on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:34:18 GMT

OngMum — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:34:18 GMT

Hello rubydoll,

That’s also my question that has been popping up all the time in my head lately. My child is in sports CCA too and her training is twice per week from 3pm to 6pm. When she participated in school competition in January, her training was pretty intensive. Could you imagine she just entered Sec 1 this year? I am kind of worried but being worried will not able to address my concern as I know. I just monitor her as close as possible and do what I can to lessen her “burdens”.

Same like you, I hope to hear from parents or kids on ways/tips to cope life in Secondary school especially with intensive sports training. Thank you.

Cheers!