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Extra-curricular activities are crucial for a child’s learning and development beyond the academic curriculum. Children who participate in extra-curricular activities outperform their peers and develop many important skills, including self-confidence and social skills.
Sometimes, children may hesitate to join activities because they are shy, lack motivation, or have low self-esteem. Here are three ways you can encourage your child to get involved.
Consider their Natural Interests & Abilities
All children have natural talents and interests. They may love to play video games, play sports, draw, etc. Finding activities within their current interests will make them more willing to get involved.
If your child loves playing on their tablet, or loves video games, they may be interested in coding as they get older. This will enable them to make their own video games! It’s also an excellent skill to have in today’s world.
To get them started, they should learn how to type. There are lots of great (and free) typing lessons available online. Once they’ve gotten a hang of basic typing, they’ll probably be interested in learning the special keyboard symbols and shortcuts.
If your child shows an interest in sports, sign them up with your local parks and recreation programs. They typically offer a range of youth sports throughout the year and are usually very budget friendly.
Gentle Guidance Works Better
If your child is hesitant to participate in any activity, it’s best to gently encourage them instead of being controlling. If you are too demanding or overbearing, it could cause them to rebel and never want to join any activity.
Do some research on extra-curricular activities that you think they would enjoy, and let them choose which one they want to try. This way, your child will feel like they have control over their choice. If your child has any hesitations or concerns, be sure to listen and address them.
If your child is scared to join a class on their own, join one together! Try ice-skating lessons, art classes, or even cooking classes. They may be open to trying other activities on their own once they gain confidence in your joint activities.
Tap Into their Competitive Spirit
Last but not least, instill a competitive spirit in your child. Participating in competitive activities allows them to work on their innate drive and discover their abilities. Extra-curricular activities like chess, debate sessions, dance, sports, etc. can give your child a taste of competition.
These activities allow children to meet people from different locales, develop connections, and create unique experiences and memorable bonds. And when these activities are backed by a competitive spirit, it makes the entire process fun and exciting.
Final Thoughts
Getting your kids involved in extra-curricular activities will help to build their confidence and social skills. Encourage them to try activities that are fun and spark their interests. Be gentle when encouraging them, and always respect your child’s limits. Forcing them into any activity could backfire, so let them choose the activities that make them happy.
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