Can they do too much exercise?

**cheeky_biscuit** · 17-03-2012, 10:50am

The swimming saga continues.
Dd2 is 4.5 and has weekly swimming lessons- she's in the water confidence class but has completed her duckling 1-4 badges and her 25m.
They tried to move her to an intermediate group but she refused to get in the water with that instructor. Also the time was really inconvenient so she got away with that really. So she's back in the confidence group very happily swimming away & enjoying herself. Her stroke technique is improving and she's enjoying regular weekly exercise.
They've said they could try her in a group at the same time with 6yr olds. We watched them last week and while I think she's capable I worry that it's too much physically as she doesn't have that muscle development & I think it would exhaust her - it's all stroke work but lengths with various floats/woggles/noodle things. Dd2 has approved this instructor. But to me there's 2 problems - If we push her too hard will she hate it? & will she be exhausted?.
I'm happy for her to stay in the group she's in & perhaps give her until September?
Any thoughts?

**bisy backson** · 17-03-2012, 11:05am

try her and see how she goes - she'll tell you if its too much.

S was desperate to try gymnastics as RF does it, but he's not as strong or agile and was finding it really tough and eventually decided that it's too much and doesn't want to do it any more.

On the other hand, if she's happy where she is and there's no desperate need to move her, leave it for a few months, or move her into the new class and just give her a week off every few weeks or if she asks for it?

as long as you talk to her about it she'll probably give you pretty good feedback

bbxx

**Faith** · 17-03-2012, 11:17am

Have you asked her? If she wants to stay where she is and she is still making progress, I'd leave her. She's 4.5 so there's no big rush, even for the Olympics!

If you think she might get bored with the easier group, or needs challenging a bit more, or she wants to move to the "big girls" class, then give it a try. Whenever dd's training has increased, or she's been moved up, our usual approach is to give it a try for a month, or until the next school holiday. If she's tired or not enjoying it she can move back (check with instructors first that that's ok!). She's always adjusted fine.

As for the too much exercise question, I think it depends on the child. Dd1 seems to have an infinite capacity for training, and we are starting to have to make her take rest days. The danger is, obviously, too much too young and they're fed up by 8. I don't think a once a week swim class is too much, but if it's too hard or too tiring she won't find it fun and will want to quit.

So, in summary :p) at 4.5 I wouldn't worry about her progress, more that she's having fun and actually wants to go, whichever class suits her personality- will she enjoy the challenge of moving up?

**cheeky_biscuit** · 17-03-2012, 07:18pm

Thanks ladies, I've spoken to her and she would prefer toneother stay with her teacher or move into dd1s group- which isn't an option. I think they want to move her to free up a space in the starters group for the summer term. I think I'll keep her where she is while she's so happy with it all.

**DillyDally** · 17-03-2012, 07:23pm

I agree with Faith

With DS2, I paid for one-to-one lessons, which weren't as expensive as I thought they would be, and meant that he worked at his own pace, and didn't have to be 'moved up' or not moved up. Might be worth thinking about?

**Mrs B** · 17-03-2012, 07:37pm

Originally Posted by cheeky_biscuit

very happily swimming away & enjoying herself. Her stroke technique is improving and she's enjoying regular weekly exercise.

Leave her here, doesn't seem to be any reason to move her up as yet.

**cheeky_biscuit** · 18-03-2012, 10:32am

I managed to have a proper chat with her teacher this morning (there's never usually time with lesson switches). Shes happy with her in the group - there's only 3 others in the group and she said having dd2 there pushes the others & HEr stroke technique is really improving (very noticeable today). She's going to start doing the water skills badge stuff with her to Keep her interested. As the group is small she can do things a little differently with each one. dd2 loved her lesson this morning.
Dd1 on the other hand had a tantrum on the side of the pool for the 1st 10mins of the lesson.