Over-scheduling a child can come at a cost, study says

Does your child get enough play time? Or are they on a tight schedule much of the time?

A University of Colorado study found that the more time kids spent in unstructured activities, the more self-directed they were.

Researchers say that translates into a child who is better at planning and problem-solving. And while extracurricular activities can help build a child's development, Dr. Kristen Eastman, child psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, warns that parents need to make a real effort to balance it out.

"Having just some time to chill out, veg out as a family, watch a movie, play some games, and let them do nothing sometimes," she says, is a better alternative. "Or time to just be creative, time to be outside exploring. We don't want to over-schedule them so much that it's at the sake of those things, or not getting the important rest that they need."

In fact, too many structured activities can make your child feel burned out or bored. If your child looks or acts tired, or is unusually irritable it could be a sign that they're doing too much, and not getting enough downtime. Also, if it looks like they are just not having fun anymore during an activity they used to enjoy, they may be trying to do too much.

Experts say if you find yourself spending more time in the car than at home then it may be time to dial back on kids' activities.

Eastman suggests parents actually schedule in some time blocked out for unstructured activities. Teaching kids those life lessons may pay off as children grow older.

"Eventually, it would be nice if they could say themselves 'I'm going to bed a little early tonight because I know I have a late game tomorrow or I have to be at school tomorrow night for an event,'" Eastman said. "We want to get there. That's where we hope to be and hope they are as young adults."

While children need a parent's guidance, experts suggest letting kids lead the way when it comes to picking out an extracurricular activity that they really like, versus trying out several at the same time.