I don’t see you mentioning sports. Are your boys in any kind of organized sports? My son was in Little League baseball when he was 5 or 6 till HS graduation. He would admit that had a huge impact in his life. Being in organized sports is excellent in learning discipline, team play, cooperation, time management, coping with disappointments etc.
I also think it is too early to think about academics at this point, continue what you have been doing…you are doing a great job.
Organized sports can be more stressful than they’re worth for a kid with ADHD or other behavioral issues. It becomes just more hours in the week that they need to be “on” and well behaved. Activity is great but I wouldn’t push teams. A friend’s son latched on to parkour and is loving it. I can imagine that being easier to find in NYC than baseball as well. It is individual creative action and can be quite feeing and affirming.
Lots of good kinds of physical activity that are not team sports. At age 6, our kids were taking swimming lessons. Both took dance lessons too. Recreation soccer for 6 year olds is really not about playing soccer. It’s about some of the skills needed to play in the future. We know young kids who took martial arts classes, and they are very good for helping develop discipline and self control. What about gymnastics?
Or just going outside and playing at a playground, riding a bicycle, going for walks, making a snowman.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback. Very helpful - and therapeutic for me - to hear so many supportive voices.