Best After-School Activities for Tweens

Preteens often participate in many after-school activities including sports and other activities of interest. Many children at an early age know what activities are of interest to them, but other children need time before they find something that really grabs their attention. Although it takes a bit of time, if you boost it enough, your child may find an activity that really interests him.

Extracurricular activities provide many benefits for children and are a good idea to keep children interested in things other than academic activity. If your pre-teen still doesn’t know which after-school activity might be best for him, then follow these tips to help him find the activity that really motivates him, and may motivate him a lifetime!

COMBINE THE ACTIVITIES

It is understandable that your children try a little of all the activities so that they know which are the ones that interest them the most. Even if you are not very interested in them, you will also be learning new skills and discovering things about yourself. You have to make sure that you motivate your child to stay interested in the extracurricular activity that they are participating in at any given time, even if they decide not to participate further later.

When you have actively participated in the activity, it will be time to ask if you would like to continue in that extracurricular activity or if you prefer to find a new or different one to do.

DO THINGS TOGETHER

Children and parents may experience extracurricular activities together. You can visit museums, go to concerts, spend time gardening, or volunteer for a local charity. By spending time together you will notice if your child is really interested in the activity in question or if he does not have much interest. You will also be able to know if he really has a special talent that should be promoted or if, on the contrary, it is better to look for another type of activity that is better for his personal profile and his interests.

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

Youth organizations exist in all localities that offer children opportunities to learn leadership skills, participate in community activities, and try different social interaction activities. The variety of activities these groups offer can keep children motivated and engaged throughout the year.

NON-COMPETITIVE SPORTS

Some children enjoy sports and physical activity, but they do not like to compete. If you are not interested in competitions or have a hard time competing with others, you can consider some non-competitive alternatives. The benefits are the same, and for some kids, the thrill of self- improvement is all the competence they really need.

ENHANCE READING

Your child may be very interested in reading, but you should encourage him to discover it. Take the time that is necessary to help your children choose the books that are really exciting to him and that his personal ones are interesting for him / her. Reading itself is also considered as leisure time and that your child is addicted to reading books is not a bad thing, you could even start a reading club where other children with the same interests can participate as well.

HEAR WHAT THEIR REAL INTERESTS ARE

Don’t sign up your child for an after-school activity just because you think it’s best for him / her. In fact, you should listen to what their real interests are and promote those activities in which they feel totally comfortable doing them. If you force him to do something he doesn’t like, he will eventually stop doing it and may even dislike it. Although with practice he has managed to do well. You have to like it so that you really enjoy what you do and maybe go a long way with it. They should follow their own interests , not yours.