The importance of extra-curricular activities for children In team based sports they will learn how to work well in a team and they also build a lot of endurance. Every sport has something good to offer your child, whether they are played in teams or individually. Your child has spent a long day at school, however their first port of call when they home will probably be their X Box or something on the TV. However, we suggest that they will benefit greatly from a non-academic activity that they have an interest in. They can choose from sports, chess clubs, dance clubs, book clubs, and music clubs and so on… your child is bound to find something to like. There are many options for after-school activities for kids. Talk to your child about their interests and see what she may be interested in. High energy children may prefer sports or dance, while children who are quieter tend to prefer the calmer activities like book clubs, cooking class or perhaps pottery. Here are some extra-curricular activities that your child might enjoy. 1. Music Some children learn to play instruments, while others prefer to sing. There are some who are good at doing both. There are so many instruments to choose from that you are bound to find something that they will enjoy playing. There is a certain freedom in music, and a lot of children find joy in it. Children also tend to learn a lot about history and culture while learning something such as a musical instrument or song. 2. Sports Sports such as football, basketball, cricket and softball require teamwork and a lot of energy, but if this type of sport doesn’t sound like it suits your child, there are other options such as tennis, badminton and golf that your child can try. 16 | www.guildfordliving.co.uk 3. Dance Even among dance, there are so many types to choose from that your child is sure to find the perfect fit. Be it ballet, tap or modern dance is something that will help your child develop physically and mentally as most forms of dance require discipline and a strong body and it keeps them active as nowadays there is very little physical activity at school. 4. Painting and Sketching Perhaps your child is a blossoming artist. Playing with colours is a lot of fun and creating different works of art may be something your child would prefer over other more boisterous activities. Your child will improve creative skills as the brain will begin to develop the areas associated with creativity. Painting and drawing can also help develop problemsolving skills. 5. Crafts, Pottery and Sculpting Working with clay and creating something with their hands can give a child a sense of satisfaction that is not found through just any activity. Clay can have a therapeutic effect and is capable of keeping your child occupied for hours. Your child is going to develop sensory and motor skills through creative works. Children learn about shapes, the threedimensional world and even need to have a form of discipline, especially when working with clay. 6. Martial Arts Though the varied styles of mixed martial arts like judo, Tae Kwan do, karate and others may make one think of violence, what these really teach is discipline and how to control strength rather than wielding it for violence. Martial Arts teach self-control and selfdiscipline. They also help in socialization skills and physical development in your child. 7. Sewing Classes Sewing may not be something that crosses very many people’s minds for an extracurricular activity, but it is a skill that is very handy indeed. Many children grow up with a passion for fashion, and this may be a very handy first step for them for their futures. Sewing is as creative a field as painting or sculpting, and it is to be noted that it can be very educational for those children who want to be future designers. 8. Book Club Book clubs are a great way for little bookworms to have their fun and socialise with other book lovers. Many things can be gained from a book club. Not only will the literature itself teach your child a lot about the world, the way it works and so much more, but it will also help them to develop their reading skills, which will have a tremendous impact on their writing skills. 9. Cooking Class Cooking classes are great for children as they are not only an essential skill but another area where they can express their creativity. There are quite a few benefits to this as cooking food is something that will help your child develop focus, creativity and will also teach your children useful skills like how to handle sharp knives. It also teaches them about different ingredients and how to prepare healthy and balanced meals, all with the company of others their age. 10. Drama Club Your little drama kings and queens will love this one as it is a fun and productive way to use up their dramatic energies. Drama club helps your child to develop physical, artistic, social and public speaking skills. It also helps to improve a their memory and improvisation skills. Often, shy children who have a talent for acting become more confident and social through drama club. When you have a general idea of what your child wants, you can do some research to see who provides these classes in your area and then take the time to take your child to visit the place while a class is in session and see if is a stimulating and comfortable environment.
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