The benefits of after-school classes are numerous. But can there be a limit? A time when you have to say "no" to these activities?
Hard to be against extracurricular activities. Really. Several studies praise the benefits and it is true that there are many.
Extracurricular classes
- have a good influence on school performance
- develop a sense of belonging to a group, which makes children less likely to drop out or be delinquent
- allow the discovery or development of the child's personal talents
- positively influence their socialization and promote their academic and social adjustment
- improve the child's self-esteem
Even more, we must consider the simple feeling of well-being that gives us a period devoted to a pleasant activity. As parents, we know how happy an hour at our Zumba class or our spouse's weekly hockey game gives us.
For children, it's the same thing. Often they need this activity to feel totally good. But an important variable must be at the heart of this process, the same one that affects us: pleasure. First we mustand above all that our child has fun practicing this activity. Otherwise, it becomes a chore, an obligation and almost a task and the child will derive no benefit from it. Many forget that the primary goal of extracurricular activities is to provide a pleasant time for the child. Pleasure must therefore be at the center of decisions: whether to choose (or not!) an activity, which one to choose, the schedule, etc.
Too much is too much
There are families who don't put any limit on the number of extracurricular classes. The children therefore find themselves with an ultra-heavy schedule, generating stress very often, and the parents have the impression of being nothing but taxis. Also, having too many extracurricular activities can have negative consequences on the child's academic performance, in addition to possibly disturbing his sleep. It is therefore necessary to find the right environment so that the balance between school, extracurricular activities, leisure and relaxation is well respected.
Real interest of the child
Dad was not the footballer he would have wanted and now he is "pushing" his boy into this discipline when son is more of an artist? Same thing for a mother who would have liked to do karate – but never did – and who brings her dreams to her daughter. For an extracurricular activity to have real positive effects for the child, it must stick to his interests and not those of his parents. Otherwise, true pleasure is scorned!
Performance pressure
Your child excels in swimming. It amazes you and you are particularly proud of it. No worries so far. But be careful not to see in him a future Olympian athlete when for him, swimming simply allows him to let off steam.
There is no point in demanding too much of a child during extracurricular lessons. This does not mean letting him give up at the slightest failure or not encouraging him, but always keep in mind to promote his he althy development. Star dancers, great comedians, professional athletes: it exists, it's true, but they are rather exceptions. A child should enjoy playing hockey, without feeling that he absolutely has to be the best on his team.
Unnecessarily putting pressure on him to perform is tarnishing his pleasure. It is sometimes difficult as parents to moderate our impulses, but it is important to succeed and to put the overall pleasure at the center of our interests.
Family life
Each child has their own activity, just like their parents. Everyone develops their talents in pleasure; everything is perfect! But do you still manage to spend time with your family? Going to the museum, skiing, hiking, etc. they are also ways to discover yourself and have fun.
If adding extracurricular activities makes our daily family life too heavy, we can take a break. And all the reasons are valid: a change of job, going back to first year (we don't know howreact to our child), a tighter budget, a series of family obligations, etc. The break therefore becomes beneficial while you get back on the wheels! We simply explain to the children that we will come back later. If we persist despite everything, our whole family life will suffer.
