Why do extra curricular activities?

Your Child Can Benefit From Extra Curricular Activities But Don’t Over-Commit

Springtime has arrived! As the winter coats are being tucked away, families are dusting off old baseball gloves and soccer balls to enjoy the beautiful, sunny days ahead. If you have a preschooler or kindergartener at home, you may be wondering when is a good time to introduce him to a new extracurricular activity or sport. Chances are your child has enough energy to fulfill the whole family so looking for a creative or athletic outlet is an excellent idea!

How do you know what type of activity your child might like when there are so many choices? A common mistake many parents make is over-committing their child to the point where the carpooling between activities becomes its own kind of sport! When a child is involved in too many activities, even if they enjoy them, they will eventually become stressed and irritable because their schedule is overwhelming.

So why even bother with extracurricular activities or sports at such a young age? When handled well, these activities provide your child with an outlet to express, develop, socialize and learn new skills. Exposing your child to new activities helps broaden his understanding of the world, such as learning a foreign language or beginning a musical instrument and can also maintain a healthy lifestyle by joining a basketball team or gymnastics.

To choose an activity, begin with what you observe about your child. Does he like to work in groups or does he prefer to play alone? Does he show any interest in a certain activity? Does he enjoy listening to music? Is he particularly proficient in English or grammar, which may show an attraction for learning a new language?

Once you have determined an activity you think would make a great fit for your child, ask around for the best places which offer these sports or activities? If you are able to register your child in an activity with friends, this will help him transition in to his new routine. Give the new activity at least 6 weeks for your child to adjust. If after the 6-week period your child is not enjoying himself, re-evaluate and find another activity that may be a better fit.

Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies offers special programs and many on-site extracurricular activities to save busy parents from the hassles of carpooling all around town. Kids ‘R’ Kids believes children should have opportunities to learn inside as well as outside the classroom. Their exclusive STEAM AHEAD® curriculum integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math into every preschool and pre-K classroom. Contact the Kids ‘R’ Kids nearest you to take a free tour and learn more about their special programs!

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