Fun Once the Bell Rings
After school activities are an essential and fun way to round out your child’s overall educational experience. Integrate both structured and DIY activities that complement your child’s disposition, age and interests.
“Students in these activities learn important social skills, are given the opportunity to meet a wider variety of peers and gain more confidence and self-esteem,” says Matt Johnson, director of student services and athletics, Shawnee Mission School District. Furthermore, involved kids are more motivated to do well academically.
Doodle, dabble, draw.
Art education contributes to problem-solving and critical thinking skills, not to mention creativity. Independently-run studios and museums offer classes for kids of all ages, with topics like painting, drawing and sculpture.
DIY: Put together an “imagination bucket” with art supplies, including recyclables, construction paper and other doodads. Encourage your children to present their individual masterpieces to the family at dinner.
Move it.
Team sports nurture social, communication and leadership skills. And experiencing loss builds resilience as kids learn to persevere through disappointment.
Individualized sports like swimming, martial arts or tennis are also beneficial, helping kids develop focus and self-discipline.
DIY: Burn off energy by shooting hoops in the driveway, running through a homemade obstacle course or groovin’ to funky music before homework time.
Checkmate!
A popular and ancient game of strategy, chess fosters patience and impulse control as players learn to plan and visualize their moves on the board.
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park, has had a chess club for 20 years and facilitates an annual summer camp to introduce the game to youngsters.
“Chess can help increase a student’s focus and concentration, along with helping students with personal skills, such as problem solving and critical thinking,” says Rick Hetzel, Saint Thomas Aquinas chess club moderator.
DIY: Start a club at your child’s school or challenge your kids to a family board game or cards.
Strike the right note.
The Kansas City Symphony’s “Instrument Petting Zoo” travels to area schools giving students the chance to see and touch musical instruments. Kids who learn to play an instrument learn to read music and gain a sense of timing, beat and rhythm.
DIY: Make your own music. Fill drinking glasses with different levels of water. Tap each jar lightly with a spoon and listen for the varying pitches and vibrations each emits.
Encore!
The performing arts offer a positive outlet for expressive children and can enhance reading comprehension and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Also consider debate, photography and journalism clubs.
DIY: Help your child set up a blog to share his writing and photos with a select audience. Check out www.KidzWorld.com, which offers kids a safe and fully moderated place to blog (Geared for 9- to 14-year-olds). Younger kids can hone their storytelling chops by writing a story, dressing in costumes and acting it out.
Get cooking.
Learning to prepare healthy meals is a life skill. Plus, when following recipes, kids practice reading and math skills like measurements and fractions. Many local grocery stores and culinary centers offer kids’ cooking classes.
DIY: Include your kids in the process of meal preparation. Check out cookbooks geared to kids, like Chop Chop: The Kids Guide to Cooking, The Little House Cookbook and Wookie Cookies: A Star Wars Cookbook.
Engage in the community.
“There are many volunteer opportunities that students can pursue in the community, where they can give of their time and learn new skills,” says Cindy Neely, counselor coordinator for Shawnee Mission West High School.
Scouting, Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA and youth groups are examples of service organizations that offer real-life experiences outside of the classroom, fostering confidence, leadership and communication skills. Through engagement in their communities, kids are less likely to feel isolated. They gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
DIY: Volunteer together at a local shelter, help a neighbor with yard work or gather canned goods for a food pantry.
Seek balance.
While variety is the spice of life, don’t overwhelm your kids with activities, which can cause stress and affect grades.
“It is all about identifying the delicate balance that helps foster their development of skills in activities that they may be involved in for a lifetime,” Johnson says.
Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two active boys. Look for Christa’s new book Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise Thoughtful Communicators in a Digital World, available at ChristaMelnykHines.com.