This is a question many parents ask me constantly and I always provide them with the same 5 aspects I use when looking for activities for my own kids.
– Identify your child’s interest:
If your kids are under 5, you as a parent would need to identify what they enjoy doing the most however, when they are 6 or older, kids tend to communicate their own preferences, which make this a lot easier!
This is key, it won’t be easy and you might probably trust your gut at first, but once you find that thing that moves him or her, everything else will go smoothly.
– Identify what you as a parent would like to get out of the activity:
Are you looking for an activity that could potentiate your child’s strengths (stretch your child’s skills, talent or ability to do something etc.) or would you like for it to help your child overcome his weaknesses (self-confidence, concentration, etc.). It can sometimes be easy to see your child’s activities through your own expectations.
– Balance, balance, balance:
Balance your time and commitment to the activity. Make sure the chosen activity/activities give your child enough time to complete homework and eat and rest well. Start once a week and go from there.
– Find a GOOD studio:
You have a set goal to achieve for your child so, make sure the chosen studio can deliver this. Don’t choose a studio in which there is not an established learning path in which your child can grow and reach a goal.
– Stablished a trial period:
involving your child as much as possible in the decision-making process will help give her ownership over the decision. Be transparent with her, no matter how young she is and before starting the activity give her a goal of time to reach (6 months or until the end of year recital) therefore, if things don’t go the way you both wanted, she knows she is committed to reach a certain goal.
Ole!
Ana.