From sports to performing arts and everything in between, extracurricular activities are an important way to add structure to your kid’s life. Some kids are ready to dive in headfirst, but others need a little convincing. Learn more about how extracurriculars can benefit your children and how to make the new activity work for the whole family.
Why Extracurricular Activity Is Beneficial
Given the extra cost and time demands associated with most after-school activities, it’s easy to wonder whether they’re really worth it. Can’t your kid just go home and entertain herself with her homework and her computer? Well, yes, but that structured activity is actually a lot better for overall health and development. Extracurricular activities look good on college and job applications, but beyond that, they bring kids out of their current lifestyle comfort zones and teach them something important about teamwork and dedication.
Extracurricular activities can also be quite beneficial for both physical and mental health. Sports and other athletic pursuits have a clear positive effect on fitness, but even lower-key activities like art lessons or drama clubs can get kids more active and engaged with the world around them.
Choosing the Right Option
Kids should definitely get a say in what extracurricular activities they do. After all, if they aren’t interested, the activity probably won’t last long, and they likely won’t get the full benefit either. If your kid initially seems shy or reluctant to pursue an extracurricular, don’t force the issue, but do point out the various benefits that extracurriculars can bring, especially with respect to career selection and making friends. Shy or introverted kids might not be enthusiastic about super social activities, so you may want to steer these teens and tweens toward solo pursuits like cross-country running, tennis, figure skating, horseback riding, or computer programming.
Your child’s preference isn’t the only factor that should influence the decision, though. Ultimately, the choice needs to be something you’re comfortable with as well. For example, if your child wants to learn how to play the trumpet but is not yet ready for the responsibility of caring for such a valuable possession, you may need to step in and suggest something less potentially burdensome. Piano lessons may be a better option since your kid won’t be responsible for storing and toting the instrument around.
Working Out the Details
Extracurricular activities often require extra scheduling and logistical savvy from parents, particularly if kids aren’t yet old enough to drive themselves or if the activity isn’t within walking distance. This is one way that team sports and other group extracurriculars can be real lifesavers for parents. Carpooling can be an easy way to incorporate your child’s new schedule demands into your existing routine without missing a beat or breaking a sweat. GoKid offers the ideal solution for busy parents who need a structured way to connect with other club or team parents and coordinate a carpooling schedule to get the kids to and from practices, games, or performances.
In addition, there are helpful apps such as TeamSnap, an app that allows you to communicate with your team, Picniic and/or Cozi, family management apps that bring your family’s activities and data together in one place (appointments, shopping lists, chores, etc.), and Instacart, an app that removes grocery shopping from your plate, which frees up hours every week. You can make a list, schedule a delivery time, and even shop at different stores to get what you need, plus you can easily access past lists.
