Choosing Extracurricular Activities for Kids
Tips for Selecting Sports, Clubs, and Lessons for Preschoolers
Oct 22, 2009
There are so many extracurricular activity choices available that it can be hard for parents to figure out which is right for their young kids. Parents know that getting involved in the right activity will be satisfying and an enriching experience for a preschool child. Whether it is dance, swim, or soccer, the learning and social development will be worth it. This article offers tips for selecting the right sports, clubs, and lessons for children.
What Activities Interest the Preschooler?
Sometimes it is easy for parents to tell what interests their kids. A child may spend every moment doing crafts or listening to music. She may love kicking a ball around and has so much energy that she needs to be outdoors most of the time. Other kids will be harder to read, but by simply observing a child carefully during her spare time, extracurricular activities that she may enjoy will become more apparent.
Parent Goals for Extracurricular Activity
When choosing extracurricular activities for preschoolers, parents must also figure out what they would like their kids to get out of it. Strengthening social skills and making friends, developing motor skills and coordination, staying active and healthy, etc. are all possible goals that can be met with the right extracurricular activity. Parents will want to determine their own wishes for their child before selecting a particular sport, club, or lesson for their children.
Consider Cost, Time Commitments of Children Activity
The following are details and questions that parents may want to consider when choosing an extracurricular activity for their preschoolers:
- What is the availability and location of the classes?
- How many times per week will the activity meet?
- What is the duration of the lesson?
- How much does the extracurricular cost?
- Does the extracurricular activity conflict with other commitments?
- What do other parents in the area think about the activity?
Another point to consider when starting a new activity is how easy it will be to opt out of it if the child is not enjoying it. Try signing up for a new lesson only if it has a short duration and if parents can pay on a week-by-week or month-by-month basis, so that precious money will not be wasted if the child wants to quit.
Evaluate Extracurricular Activity Facilities, Teachers, Coaches
Parents will also want to visit any facility and meet with the extracurricular coach or teacher before making a commitment. It is really important to evaluate all aspects of a new activity before signing up. If the chosen activity is a swim lesson for example, what are the qualifications of the swim instructor? Are the facilities outfitted with the proper safety equipment?
An important tip will be to determine if the teacher has a background in early childhood education. If not, the teacher may not know how to properly handle common situations, or emergency ones that may happen with preschoolers. Additionally, a great way to see how teachers interact with their students is to observe a class in progress. While at the facility, customer service can also be evaluated.
Finally, what is the typical class size? This will also determine safety factors, as well as how much attention will be given to each student.
When choosing an extracurricular activity for preschoolers, it is essential to consider the interest of the child, the goals of the parents, cost, and time commitment required, and credentials of the facility/teacher. But most importantly, children need to be fully participating and enjoying the sport, lesson, or club they are signed up for. With careful planning and consideration, extracurricular activities will provide preschoolers with invaluable social and developmental growth.
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