The Importance of After-School Activities
Posted
by
WinterKids
on Friday, August 29, 2014
Instead of allowing children to plop down in front of the TV or play video games after school, parents who encourage their children to partake in activities outside of the home are aiding in their child’s development. Here’s how after-school activities are a beneficial way to enhance the life of a child.
Physical
Physical after-school activities like football, soccer, lacrosse, field-hockey, gymnastics or basketball help children get the exercise they need to stay physically fit and healthy. Sports help kids develop coordination and enhance their mental and physical growth. These activities also assist them in character building and provide them energy and strength.
Leading an active lifestyle will bring about positive results in the children’s daily life, mind, and body. While providing your child with a variety of options of physical activities to partake in is recommended, a balance should be maintained that matches the child’s maturity, skills, and their interests.
Teamwork
Through participation in after-school activities such as sports, young people learn about the significance of key values such as honesty, fair play, respect for themselves and others, adhering to rules, competition, and the overall importance of teamwork.
By playing sports, kids are able to work together with other children to achieve a common goal. By embracing the camaraderie of a team, kids learn lifelong lessons about sportsmanship and are able to discover that it’s not always about winning but how you play the game and giving it your best effort.
Self-Confidence
When a child is excelling in an activity they enjoy, greater self-confidence will begin to develop. Learning a new skill is an excellent way to build
self-confidence. Not only do after-school activities teach children new skills, but also give them an opportunity to learn important social skills like cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Stress release
Kids are subject to stress through things like expectations to do well in school and peer pressure. As well as sports, after school activities that take place in a no-pressure environment such as dance, yoga or playing a musical instrument can help children can help children relax and relieve stress.
Time management
Activities teach kids how to manage their time effectively. Between school, homework, time with family, friends and after-school activities, they will learn the importance of time management. Getting involved in a favorite activity is fun for kids and aids them in figuring out how to plan and prioritize accordingly. Kids will learn to plan things around the activity to make sure their priorities are met and their day is balanced.
Creativity
As mentioned in Keeping Kids Active this Spring, after-school craft activities are also very important throughout our children’s maturity process as it enables them to develop significant life skills. Art helps develop the right side of the brain and also allows kids to learn and fine-tune skills such as communication skills, problem-solving skills, motor skills, self-expression and creativity. Such skills will help them throughout their lifetime and aid in individualizing their personalities. If interested in craft activities, sign up your child for a painting class, wood-working, or cooking class after school.
What’s your child’s favorite after-school activity? Let us know in the comments below!
Categories:
Kids' Health
Tagged: kids, staying active, kids activities, fitness
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