STUDENTS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING EXTRA
GEELONG students are pursuing more interests outside school after the easing of Covid restrictions, but an expert fears parents may be holding them back.
Geelong Lutheran College students are among those who have taken up more extra-curricular and afterschool activities after the return to school and a new Covid normal.
Year 7 student Campbell said he had found an increased sense of belonging from the after-hours pursuits.
Campbell learns piano, is part of a musical theatre group and does singing, dancing and swimming.
“When (activities resumed) after we went back to regular school,
I picked them back up again,” he said.
“I love how I get to be myself, I’m not judged and I’ve made friends.
“I hope to do more things in the music area in the future, too, as I feel like I belong in these groups.”
Year 7 student Jayden, who takes part in robotics at school, also does drum lessons, swimming, soccer and language classes.
“I was given more freedom to do more activities and enjoyed learning new skills (post-Covid),” Jayden said.
Fellow robotics enthusiast and year 6 student Ilan said: “When the restrictions were gone, I wanted to do more activities.”
Child behaviour expert Chrissie Davies, from Chaos To Calm Consultancy, said eased restrictions had led to students participating in more activities. However, Ms Davies said parents were still recovering from the fallout of the pandemic and may be hesitant about getting their kids involved in activities.
“They’re still resting and rejuvenating themselves,” she said.
“They’re still building up stamina in wanting to get out and about with their kids.
“The other side of it, too, is that maybe people are getting back to over-scheduling … almost overcompensating for the lost time, because they’ve missed so much.
“Some are desperately trying to cram kids into so many activities.
“It’s about finding balance.” Ms Davies said getting kids out in nature would result in the best outcomes, behaviour-wise.
“Anything nature-based is really good,” she said.
“We know that has such a positive impact on children’s brains, being grounded in nature and surrounded by its beauty.”
For any hesitant parents, whose children may be tentative as well, Ms Davies said it was important to lead by example.
“Children are led by their grownups,” she said.
“At the end of the day, it’s rolemodelling and parents taking the lead.
“Them wanting to get out and do those things themselves will make their children want to.”
Ms Davies said parents should remember “every child is different”, and to let them go at their own pace.