Extracurricular Activities: Everything You Should Know
Extracurricular activities are good for kids, since they allow them to enjoy their free time while learning and having fun. However, there are lots of activities to choose from, thanks to the demand from parents. Also, in recent years, kids are oftentimes being given an overload of activities, making them feel more like obligations than hobbies.
Everything is good in moderation, and it’s important to know what kids like and how beneficial extracurricular activities are. Here, we’ll tell you everything you should know about this controversial issue.
Extracurricular activities according to your interests
The first and most important thing to consider before enrolling children in any activity is to have their input.
It’s also a good idea to see what your child does in their free time. For example, if you notice that your child paints a lot, maybe they would like a painting class or art class.
On the other hand, if they like to read, maybe they would like activities in the library. Also, it’s important to keep track of your child in the activity. If you see that your child isn’t having fun, it might be a good idea to stop having them do it. If you keep them in it, it might feel like an obligation or chore.
However, there’s a difference between not enjoying and not wanting. When a child uses this second option, it’s important to teach them the importance of having a responsibility and sticking to schedules. As adults, they need to learn to follow through with commitments.
Age is a factor to take into account
After knowing what your child likes, consider the amount of activities they do. This should depend on the workload they have, since it’s important that extracurricular activities don’t take time away from studying.
In addition to studying, it’s also important for kids to have time to play freely. This way, they won’t feel overwhelmed and they can develop their creativity and imagination.
As for age, this also plays a role in choosing extracurricular activities. For those under six years of age, the activities should be focused on developing their motor skills.
The following age group is the most important when it comes to extracurricular activities. Around ages six and nine years, kids start to define their tastes. It’s very important to train them, and also let them enjoy what they like.
From the age of ten, children and teens can practice all kinds of activities. Normally, they require more effort and concentration than in previous ages. It’s also good way to reinforce your commitment and effort with these types of activities.
What extracurricular activities are best?
No after-school activity is better than another. Simply, as we mentioned earlier, you should choose the one that your child likes the most.
Group activities promote teamwork and respect for others, while individual activities promote discipline and perseverance.
Sports activities promote movement and decision-making skills in the face of adversity, while language-related activities help children’s memory and cognitive development.
Another of the most demanding choices are the ones related to music. Dancing, musical instruments, and singing are popular options for kids. In fact, these promote the development of hearing, and especially a sense of rhythm and melodies.
Conclusion
In the end, play is the most natural way that little ones learn, and they can play in all of the activities we mentioned above. Each child is totally different from each other, so the number and type of activities will depend on the many factors that we mentioned earlier.