Extra curricular activities

[Whattodo20192]

It's the time of year for registering for extra curricular activities again. What activities does your child do that you think are worthwhile and actually teach them something?

Scouts (well, mine are grown now but went through Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers). Overwhelmingly the most worthwhile and overwhelmingly the best value for money.

Swimming. A skill for life. Has also then enabled them to do so much as teens - all sorts of water sports, but just socially 'hanging out' with friends. Then, once 16, to earn well as life guards (not that was ever part of the plan in the first place, but has been a real bonus).

Then, between them they have done all sorts of things which have been good, and suited different of them at different ages, but Scouts and swimming have overwhelmingly been both the longest lasting and the best decisions.

Well, depends on the age. My daughter, now 14, tried different things since she was 3.

Dancing: For few terms - she liked it, but she liked other things more, so we dropped it.

Basketball: For one term - same as dancing

Gymnastics: 2 years (I think) - liked it, but then the timing didn't fit anymore or something like that

Swimming: Many years, since she was a baby - got to boring for her then

Icehockey: For 3 years - loved it for 2 years, then switched teams and hated the new team and trainers (bullying etc), so stopped

Taekwondo: Since age 11 - currently wants to stop, but I push her to continue

Choir: Since age 11 - loves it

Violin: Since age 6 - loves it

Percussions: The last 2 years - loved it, especially the steel drums; she has to stop, because she doesn't have so much time anymore (she was homeschooled the last 3 years, so had a lot of time for activities. Now she's back at school)

Oh, I forgot: All those activities taught her something and were worth it.

Second swimming! Will help teach them not to drown and enjoy being in the water. It will also allow them to access other water sports when they're older. DS1 (now 12) does rookie lifeguarding.

Drama - helps give confidence in front of an audience.

Music - as for drama, plus discipline and personal satisfaction.

Other sports - various, depending on interest and availability - working in teams, keep fit and establish an exercise habit early in life.

What ever they want to do!

It's for them to choose, not for me to pick.

If a child has chosen an activity and is enjoying it, they are obviously getting something out of it. When that stops happening, then it is time to move on. I always ask them to give something a reasonable chance, especially if I have had to fork out for equipment/uniform etc.

Equally, if they don't want to do anything, that is OK too. I would hate to be forced to go along to group activities or classes, when I really wasn't interested, so why do people think this is OK for children?