What kids do outside of school is as important - if not more important - than what they do inside it. The activities and passions they develop besides their school work often go on to determine the trajectory of the rest of their lives.
But which activities should parents prioritize in particular? Let’s take a look.
Music Lessons
Being able to play a musical instrument is a wonderful skill and something that children can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Once they get the basics sorted in early childhood, they’re often able to progress to an exceptionally high standard, particularly if they keep up their practice.
Swimming
It’s also a good idea to look for swim lessons near you. Swimming is one of those skills that people regularly require whenever they spend time with others socially or go on vacation.
Dance
Children have a wonderful freedom in their bodies. But sometimes it is uncontrolled. Dance is a great way to teach kids coordination while also encouraging them to really get to know their bodies and abilities inside out. Dance is also great from a health perspective too, since it requires so many different muscle groups, balance, strength and coordination.
Sports Lessons
The obesity crisis is currently engulfing a generation of children. In many classes, nearly half of kids under the age of twelve are now overweight or obese. It’s a significant problem and growing all the time.
One way to push back against this is to get kids into sport. The more active they are, the more likely they will be to remain physically engaged in life in the future. Consequently, they are less likely to become couch potatoes in front of their screens all the time.
Cooking
On a related theme, kids also need to learn how to cook. These days, too few children have this skill. And, contrary to popular belief, they don’t always learn it when they leave home. Many adults rely on instant food, takeouts and microwave meals. These options are usually high in salt, fat and sugar - all the things that people should, in general, avoid.
Teaching kids to cook helps them to make healthier choices. It also makes them more capable human beings. Being able to bake a cake or prepare dinner for guests massively improves how much they can enjoy their lives.
Martial Arts
As with dance, kids’ confidence also goes up when they learn martial arts, like karate or taekwondo. Martial arts not only train the body but also the mind too. Many children become mentally tougher when they learn these arts and gain the respect of their peers.
Gymnastics
Having a flexible body in childhood can help adults once they get older. Many middle-aged people are stiff and inflexible, unable to move how they would like. Getting kids into gymnastics early on is a great way to keep them limber as they get older.
Granted, many of these extracurricular activities are not free. But they are among the most important things you can do for your child besides their regular school work.
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