Choosing the right kind of extracurricular activity for your children can be a little overwhelming, especially during Covid times. A child's interest would keep changing as she grows older. As a parent it is expected of you to adapt in providing the right direction.
Extracurricular activities give kids a chance to explore new interests that are not part of their daily curriculum. It involves a lot of fun and enjoyment which keeps the children active and happy. Children gain self-esteem, learn to socialize, build leadership qualities, develop self-identity and learn more about themselves by trying out different kinds of extracurricular.
Following are the best 5 tips to steer parents in the right direction in choosing the right extracurricular activity for their kids.
1.What fascinates your child?
Before taking a decision, consider your children’s interests and natural abilities. It is important not to pass on your dreams to kids as they are individuals with different potentials and capabilities. Ensure you put an effort to understand what they want to do and what are their natural gifts. There is a possibility that parental expectations that do not match a child's true self can cause a lot of discomfort for both parent and the kid. It is also advisable for parents to find different ways for their kids to connect with family friends because mostly parents feel pressured to make their kids socialize with their family friends even when the kids have no interest. Find out what they really seem to like to do and what keeps them actively involved.
2.Opt for a Dummy run
Many organizations offer online courses to try out a class, club, or art form for a lesser fee. Avail of these opportunities. This can help you determine your child’s interest. Take your kid to the classes while other children are actively participating. If the little one lights up, then that’s your cue to sign her up for that particular activity.
It is significant for kids to experiment and discover which activity they want to master by the time they become teens. The Trial run is one of the best choices to figure out what your little one is interested in. This might also give the kids different experiences which would help them understand themselves better as they grow older.
3.Analyze strength and weaknesses
Studies show that extracurriculars are a considerable time to play up their strengths. This eventually helps them overcome their weaknesses as well. Parents may have to consider noticing whether the kids are really strong at voice training or color coordinating. Kids who are interested in performing are naturals when it comes to enjoying the performing arts. On the other hand, some kids want to stay indoors and create new things such as painting, making films, and writing.
Encourage your kids to pursue what they are good at by noticing their pattern of behavior when they are introduced to new activities. Every activity will have an initial difficult learning phase. Pointing out to the kids’ strengths and what they are good at will help your kids to overcome that challenging phase.
4.Remember the Gains
The gains are just as important as the activity itself. It is important that parents cross-examine why kids are pursuing this particular activity and how they can benefit from getting involved in this. Make sure your kids develop new skills, build social tolerance, make new friends, and more importantly, learn about him/her through the activity.
A hobby should help your kids to be able to find work-life balance when they become adults along with supporting their academic success now.
5.Consider Free play
Research says that having non-structured play is as constructive as a structured environment for children. Ensure your kids have some time to do nothing and some time for free play when they decide what they want to do. This free time will help your kids to find out about themselves. They will know what they like to do, and how to be creative. Whatever the children learn on their own when no one is teaching them, and no-one has any expectations from them, is what essentially assists them to be noticeably different from other people.
Extracurricular hobbies are not about developing new skills to showcase to the world that I'm better than others and win prizes with. Let the children discover themselves while discovering the world. Balance and fun are the key ingredients, while choosing and pursuing an extracurricular activity.
