How can we help help a teenager choose extracurricular activities?? Throughout the school year, children will do several basic activities for their development, as they not only have fun, but also help them to be more motivated, to be more sociable and to work on various personal skills.
But, be very careful, because we should not abuse this type of activities. The youngster already has to go to school, and to that we add his need for free time, rest, study and homework at home... We cannot cause the child to require a full agenda to get to everything, because it is also a time when he has to enjoy himself, an essential element for his positive social development.
Find out how to help your teenager choose after-school activities
Now that we know the importance of extracurricular activities, how can we help children choose wisely? We are going to give some tips thinking about important details: for example, how good they are for their physical and psychological health, how much they help them develop their intelligence, as well as other skills, etc.
Tell him to bet on activities that enhance his independence.
Adolescence is a phase in which the child begins to become an adult, and as such, wants more and more independence. That is why it is important that we help them in this sense, betting on activities that reinforce their autonomy.
Let us not think in this case that they will move away from us. We must interpret this matter in a different way: such independence will notably reinforce the level of responsibility of the children, because in this way they learn to develop in freedom, with autonomy, demonstrating the capacity to make their own decisions.
There are many ideal activities in this case. Above all, the sportsare often useful, not only to make them feel free and independent, but also to help them discover the importance of effort, teamwork, recognition of themselves and others, etc.
In particular, they should not choose extracurricular activities because their parents like them, or because they suit their parents' schedules, for example. Teenagers need to feel responsible and empowered to make their own decisions and to do what really appeals to them.
Not to be exceeded
As we have already mentioned, a teenager's life should not be completely organized without free time for him or herself, or even to lose it. If their agenda is full of school and extracurricular activities, study schedules, lunches, dinners and sleeping hours, without being able to dedicate time for leisure or to be with friends, they can develop frustration, anxiety, stress, overwhelm and even depression.
The young person should not be overburdened. His classes are important, but also his free time, so that excesses do not affect his self-esteem or school performance.
Useful activities vs. fun activities
Many parents think of language language learning as a useful and necessary extracurricular activity for their teenager. But does he or she feel the same way? If not, and we do not manage to motivate him, for the young person it will be an additional burden, and he will not enjoy this learning.
Thus, as parents we must contribute so that the child finds the balance between the activities that really attract him/her, and also in those that he/she does not like so much, but may be very necessary in the near future.
If you want to know more tips like these, do not hesitate to contact our specialized department. From Logos International School we have been working for years in the improvement of our young people, that's why we have an expert team that accompanies parents and children and young people throughout their childhood and adolescence so that they develop properly.