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With so many extra activities out there it can be difficult for both you and your child to select something fun to do in the afternoons. What activities would your child enjoy? What are the financial implications? How often are the classes? What are their benefits?
We offer some advice on how to find the right activity for your child.
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| Younger children (preschoolers up to about Grade 3) are still finding their feet, discovering new things about the world and will be keen to try anything that seems like fun. There is so much to learn and do and exposing your child to different activities can help her find something she enjoys. Start somewhere. It she really doesn’t enjoy it you can always switch to something else later on. Avoid over-scheduling your child initially. Kids need time to just be kids too. |
| What does your child want to do? All benefits to any extra activities will be lost if your child does not enjoy the activity. Communicate with him. Chat about the different activities and the new things he will learn in each class. Visit the library and take out a few books on different sports or hobbies. Decision-making and learning to way up the pros and cons are life skills that kids develop over time. A very young child may not be able to make a decision on her own if she is faced with too many choices. Take a look at a few activities you think would be beneficial and give her a choice between two or three of these. |
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Extra activities are great for building on strengthens and improving on weaknesses. Every activity, class or sport has something positive to offer your child. Before making any decision, take a look at these benefits and see how they can contribute to your little one’s development.
Does he find it difficult to concentrate? Do her fine motor skills need improvement? Does he struggle to control his anger? Certain extramurals can help with problems like low self-esteem or shyness. Look for activities which work on these areas and help to improve them. Look at your child’s strengthens. Does she have a natural talent you would like to build on? Does he show a keen interest in sport or music?
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Activities must fit in with the family schedule. Find out exactly when classes are or how many practice sessions your child will need to attend. Fetching and carrying to and from extramurals can be difficult for working parents, so ironing out who is responsible for which activities and on which days can help get things off to a smooth start. Also look at family finances and make sure you know what equipment, clothing, consumables and other items your child will need for classes.
Looking for a fun, new and exciting activity for your child? Click here.
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