Ways To Encourage Kids To Try Extracurricular Activities

Most parents desire nothing more than to watch their children grow and participate in activities they enjoy. A parent’s natural instinct is to sign their young ones up for all extracurricular activities, hoping that one activity will spark their creative or athletic passion.

However, kids don’t always appreciate that intent, as they may lose interest or resent the fact that their parents registered them for an activity out of their comfort zone. So how do you motivate your child in a healthy way that allows them to become their own person with unique interests and hobbies?

Here are three ways to encourage your kids to try extracurricular activities while understanding their unique needs and curiosities.

Determine Their Strengths and Weaknesses

Every child has strengths and weaknesses, and that’s perfectly acceptable! While some little ones enjoy painting and creating art with their hands, others may enjoy playing sports, reading, or dancing. If your child doesn’t enjoy the extracurricular they’re in, comfort them and suggest they try something else.

Allowing children to experiment with different activities gives them the opportunity to find their strengths and weaknesses while trying new things that cater to their preferences.

Avoid Applying Pressure

Extracurriculars should encourage having fun and developing a sense of exploration. Unconsciously, some parents may hold their young ones to specific expectations, promoting the idea of worth based on their success.

Consider extracurriculars to be new activities for everyone. As your child learns new skills and grows into their new hobby, learn about it so that you can discover new ideas together and provide a leading example.

Provide Feedback and Support

Supporting your children through their journey to discovering who they are and what they enjoy is an adventure that can stem from early childhood. As a parent, it helps to learn and explore your child’s passions while helping them build confidence in themselves.

Consider encouraging them and cheering them on for every activity they participate in. For example, when getting your child interested in gymnastics, avoid comparing them to other gymnasts in their class.

Doing so could discourage them from trying activities if they feel unsuccessful compared to their peers.

Children are marvelous individuals who have their unique passions and callings. For many, their interests develop at a young age, influencing their choices that foster creativity and athleticism later on. While there are ways to encourage kids to try extracurricular activities, remember to listen to your little ones and allow them to express their concerns.

There may be a chance that the activity doesn’t allow your kids to shine at their fullest potential, so allowing them to advocate for themselves can help everyone make a compromise.