'Hyper-scheduling' can harm child's development

Australia’s Minister for Family and Community services has said that hyper-scheduling by parents is running children ragged and can seriously harm their development.

Launching a fact sheet for parents, Pru Goward has warned of the health risks to children who take part in too many extracurricular activities.

"Children need time to relax, have fun and play games," the Herald Sun quoted her as saying. 

"Child psychologists have recognised that we are putting too much pressure on our children. We are not allowing our children enough time for unstructured play which helps them to learn, occupy themselves and express their personalities," she added.

Goward has said children who are hyper-scheduled often show signs of stress, including fatigue, irritability and disturbed sleep.

Stress caused by over-commitment is an issue recognised internationally, with child psychologists labelling the phenomena "over-scheduling", "hyper-scheduling" or "hyper-parenting".

Goward said that over-commitment could also lead to stress in parents as a result of the financial costs and time pressures of each activity.