Soccer. Theatre. Dance. Karate. For the younger set, when do you know it’s the right time to introduce an extracurricular activity? And how do you know what to try? Today, we’re spilling the latest research on all things extracurricular to help you make an informed decision for you and your child – including 5 main considerations to keep top of mind.
Ready? Let’s get to it!
Consider the goal.
While extracurricular activities are widely reported to develop strong character in the life of a child, different types of activities bring different awards. For instance, studies suggest that children who participate in academic-centered activities (learning a new language, participating in a book club, joining a science co-op, etc.) often build leadership skills, whereas children who participate in athletic clubs (soccer league, swim team, hiking groups, etc.) develop problem-solving skills.
Format matters, too! Group activities build teamwork skills, communication skills, and relationship skills, while individual activities build independence and stimulate motivation.
With all that in mind, before jumping headfirst into any activity that your child is curious about, ask yourself first: Which character goal might this meet? Is it confidence? Critical thinking? Independence? Communication? Once you determine a goal, you can better narrow down a field of interest that will offer your child an exciting opportunity to expand in that area – whether doing it in cleats, smocks, goggles, or crocs!
Consider your personality.
What kind of activity are you suited to? Do you thrive in a loud gym with pulsing energy? Do you prefer low-key indoor meetings? Would you rather spend your Saturday mornings sitting on the sidelines of a sunny park field for 4 hours or carting the kids to the local library for a 30-minute story time? Your preferences matter just as much as your child’s.
In a recent survey, 35% of parents reported that managing their child’s school and extracurricular transportation arrangements is more stressful than taxes. Sounds crazy, right? Writes KJ Dell’Antonia, “I notice a sense of inevitability among parents, as if the gravitational pull of a jam-packed schedule is so strong. They’re thinking about what works for the kids, but they also need to think about what works for them.”
If you crave more structure, relying on a weekly rhythm like a sports practice or a show rehearsal might offer you comfort in your days. But if you crave more freedom, look for periodic programs you can participate in when interest and/or timing allows, like a monthly wilderness walk, a preschool pottery class, or Shark Week at the zoo.
Whatever you decide, remember to involve yourself in the decision.
Consider your village.
On that note, extracurriculars don’t have to include a class size of 20 in a brick building you drive to! In our own homeschool, we rely pretty heavily on friends and their talents to pour into our kids. A friend who grew up in Taiwan has been giving our daughter immersion Chinese lessons twice weekly since she was two. Our son loves drumming and our friend is in a rock band, so he’s kind enough to give our child pointers when he stops by.
Experts pose that – while there’s no magic number of prosocial connections required to bring about learning benefits – children need the unique experiences provided by a variety of ties that include both the adults and peers around them – parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and other friends across a variety of age groups.
My kids have learned how to bake, fish (and bake fish!) from loving aunts and uncles that are more than thrilled to be involved in their childhood. When determining what the best kind of extracurricular activity is for your child, don’t discount the everyday learning opportunities available within your own village.
Consider the commitment.
In these early years with young children, make room for opportunities that offer a short-term commitment. Look for one-off groups or interests your kids can try out just for fun. After all; there’s no rush for a toddler to find something that sticks – he/she is still forming (and changing!) opinions about Batman, bananas, and all manner of things! It’s a lot to ask for a child to commit to a long-term activity when each of those preferences are still being shaped.
Remember: part of the gift of homeschooling is an overwhelming freedom from inflexible schedules and packed calendars, so resist the temptation to enroll your child in every sport or art class in an effort for them to “find their thing.” They’ll find their thing! They’ll find LOTS of their things!
In the meantime, keep an eye on events in your hometown – a kids’ cooking class, a beginner basketball scrimmage at the Y, or even free juggling at a summer festival! In a few simple interactions, they’ll have been introduced to something new, something engaging, and something to spark their curiosity as they move through this world. That’s no small thing!
Consider the hidden rewards.
Maybe you’ve tried an extracurricular in the past and it seemed, well, a little less successful than you’d hoped. But when it comes to measuring the progress and success of our child’s experience, it’s important to keep an open mind. The truth is, the skill your child learns might not be the skill he/she was supposed to learn!
For example, maybe your son doesn’t learn a pirouette in ballet class but, instead, learns how to make new friends? Maybe your daughter doesn’t master a Gyaku Zuki but finds a new library she loves right next door to her karate class?
The bottom line — invite flexibility. Let your child experience what he/she can from the experience, even if it’s not the one either of you expected or hoped for.
Tell me: what extracurricular activities will you try this year? We’d love to hear! And don’t forget to pencil in your new rhythm into our Everything Planner here!