Area students are back in school. It brings back memories for the older generation.

But today's school days are nothing like "School days, school days, dear old golden rule days."

Today's school schedules are a frenzied scramble.

There's sports practices, cheerleading squad practice, music lessons, dance classes, school club meetings, after-school tutoring and Scouting troops, to name a few.

From birth through high school, many children have a full calendar every day of the week.

For families with two or more children, and parents who work outside the home, it can get awfully hectic trying to get everyone to the right place at the right time.

Sure, it's hectic for parents. But what about the kids?

In the day-to-day rush, parents may be missing signs that their children are overwhelmed by so many activities, and the pressure to perform.

The last 15 years have seen an explosion in the number of activities available to children, reports University of Michigan child psychologist Michelle Kees, Ph.D.

Parents encourage children to join, because they want them to develop their talents and build new skills.

But there can be too much of a good thing.

Parents need to be aware that children can become over-stressed if they are over-scheduled.

"Children who are over-scheduled have a higher incidence of anxiety, especially performance anxiety and wondering how they're doing in a certain activity, or striving for perfection or overachievement. We often see that these children are showing some signs of depression, such as withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling badly about themselves when they don't quite measure up," Kees said in a written statement.

"Being over-scheduled and over-stressed can also have an impact on a child's basic functions, things like sleep interruptions and changes in eating patterns," she said. "We also see some children start to show signs like headaches, stomachaches, and not wanting to go to school or to participating in activities."

That doesn't mean children should not join.

Many non-school activities are great for children. It helps them explore new talents and provides structure to their lives.

The key is moderation, she said.

"Some activities, if kept in balance, are very beneficial for learning social skills, for learning a hobby, or developing a passion or an interest," she says. "On the other hand, if we over-schedule our children, we're limiting the time that they have available to learn who they are, to become who they're going to become, and to spend time with their friends and family."

To prevent over-scheduling, Keys suggests that parents review their children's activities and evaluate each activity's long-term and short-term importance.

"Ask yourself this question: How do I feel about my child participating in this activity? And if any part of your answer equals stress, worry or burden, that's a red flag that perhaps this isn't an activity that your child should be participating in right now," she said.

Another red flag, says Kees, is if you feel your family never seems to spend time together, or enjoy that time together because it revolves around getting to the next activity.

"Kids need time when absolutely nothing is scheduled and children are left to their own devices, to their own imagination and creative play," she says.

To ensure enough quality family time, Kees suggests saving time in the family schedule.

"Researchers have shown that the more family time families spend together, such as meal time, the better children do academically, behaviorally and emotionally," says Kees. "And parents should find time for themselves as a couple, and as individuals."

For parents who become concerned about their child's behavior, Kees recommends professional counseling.

Tips for parents on avoiding over-scheduling kids and teens:

- Activities such as sports, arts, music, clubs and Girl or Boy Scouting can be great additions to a child's life, and provide enjoyment while developing skills and talents. The numbers of these activities available has increased in recent years, and experts have noticed an increased emphasis by parents on enrolling their children in multiple activities.

- In addition to activities, child psychologists say, it's important for families to spend time together, and for children to be allowed to play and explore, without structured schedules.

- The definition of over-scheduling, and the stress that comes with it, varies from child to child. Typically, children who take part in one or two scheduled activities per day or several per week are considered to have heavy schedules. Parents should routinely assess whether a child's schedule is too much for the child, and ask what the child is getting out of an activity.

- Signs of stress that over-scheduled kids may exhibit include headaches and stomachaches, withdrawal or reluctance to take part in activities, and changes in sleep or eating patterns. Any sharp change or decline in behavior or schoolwork should prompt parents to seek help.

- Stress can be a "trigger" that sets off episodes of depression or anxiety in vulnerable children and teens; symptoms of depression include irritability, hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities that a child once enjoyed, changes in sleep and appetite, reduced energy and social interactions, and a decline in performance at school.