After-school clubs can inspire children
Extra-curricular activities give kids the chance to succeed at something, says
When I asked my husband what extra-curricular activities he did as a child, he listed off the usual suspects like rugby, football, cricket, piano … ‘‘Oh, and quiz club. We had buzzers and everything.’’
Some people think extracurricular activities are unnecessary because life is about participation not winning. Some think that even if their kids wanted to play rugby, there’s just not enough time after school to fit in more activities, while others would rather their child just focuses on their grades.
But when I look back at the after-school activities I did as a kid, I don’t wish my life had been quieter or less competitive; in fact, they made me who I am today.
It’s not easy when homework and other after-school activities compete for the limited time between the final school bell and bedtime. But frankly, there’s more to life than studying. School can become insular, especially if it’s small. Not all kids are academic either, and the ones that are need a break sometimes. After-school activities like sport and music let them discover more of the world and meet new people outside the four walls of the classroom.
Extra-curricular activities help hone your kids’ strengths too. Enrol them in activities that they already like and are good at like; they’ll love succeeding at something that doesn’t just focus on As, Bs and Cs.
On the flipside, though, afterschool activities could unearth a hidden talent in your child that neither of you knew about. Let your kids choose new activities every term, and see if there’s something they naturally gravitate towards. You never know; the next Maria Tutaia or Rafael Nadal could be sitting around your dinner table.
Don’t feel pressured to fill every evening with extracurricular activities though. My brother and I grew up on a farm that was miles away from anywhere, but as we got older our parents were committed to making our interests happen every week (netball and soccer in winter, swimming in summer), despite the long drive. Find something that makes your kids happy and works for your family, not someone else’s.
Of course, if parents work fulltime or are struggling financially, it can be hard to make extracurricular activities happen. But that’s where a well-connected community can help. Keep an eye out on Neighbourly for afterschool activities like Guides and Scouts. If your neighbour’s child is in the same rugby team as yours, ask them about potential after-school care until you get home from work.
If you spend your afternoons at home and have a skill to offer the kids in your neighbourhood like cooking or speaking French, offer free or affordable services on your Neighbourly page. If your child is genuinely talented at surfing but you can’t afford the gear, approach a local business for sponsorship.
Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. And extracurricular activities are worth it.