to present their individual
masterpieces to the family at dinner. from covered paper towel tubes.
Move it. Team sports nurture social, a positive outlet for expressive
children and can enhance reading
comprehension and verbal and non-
verbal communication skills. Also
consider debate, photography and
journalism clubs.
communication and leadership
skills. And experiencing loss builds
resilience as kids learn to persevere
through disappointment.
Individualized sports like swimming,
martial arts, or tennis are also
beneficial, helping kids develop
focus and self-discipline.
DIY: Burn off energy by shooting
hoops in the driveway, running
through a homemade obstacle
course, or groovin’ to funky music
before homework time.
Checkmate! A popular and ancient
game of strategy, chess fosters
patience and impulse control as
players learn to plan and visualize
their moves on the board.
“Chess can help increase a student’s
focus and concentration along with
helping students with personal
skills, such as problem solving and
critical thinking,” says Rick Hetzel, a
high school chess club moderator.
DIY: Start a club at your child’s
school or challenge your kids to a
family board game or cards.
Strike the right note. Kids who learn
to play an instrument learn to read
music and gain a sense of timing,
beat and rhythm. Multiple research
studies find a relationship between
music education and its influence
on mathematics skills, including
the ability to recognize patterns,
sequencing, spatial reasoning
and tempo. And according to the
National Association for Music
Education, youngsters who are
involved in music are more likely
to be engaged in school, develop a
higher self-esteem and are better
able to cope with anxiety.
Encore! The performing arts offer
DIY: Help your child set up a blog to
share his writing and photos with
a select audience. Check out www.
kidzworld.com, which offers kids
a safe and fully moderated place
to blog. (Geared for 9 to 14-year-
olds.) Younger kids can hone their
storytelling chops by writing a story,
dressing in costumes and acting it
out.
Get cooking. Learning to prepare
healthy meals is a life skill. Plus
when following recipes, kids
practice reading and math skills like
measurements and fractions. Many
local grocery stores and culinary
centers offer kids’ cooking classes.
DIY: Include your kids in the process
of meal preparation. Even on busy
weeknights they can help make a
salad or set the table. Also, check
out cookbooks geared for kids
like Chop Chop: The Kids Guide to
Cooking, Better Homes & Gardens
New Junior Cookbook and Wookie
Cookies: A Star Wars Cookbook.
Be of service. “There are many
volunteer opportunities that
students can pursue in the
community where they can give of
their time and learn new skills,” says
Cindy Neely, a high school counselor
coordinator.
Scouting, Boys & Girls Club, the
YMCA, and youth groups are
examples of service organizations
that offer real-life experiences
outside of the classroom, fostering
confidence, leadership and
communication skills. Through
engagement in their communities,
kids are less likely to feel isolated.
They gain a greater appreciation
and understanding of the world
around them.
DIY: Volunteer together at a local
shelter, help a neighbor with yard-
work or gather canned goods for a
food pantry.
Seek balance. While variety is the
spice of life, don’t overwhelm your
kids with activities that can cause
stress and affect grades.
“It is all about identifying the
delicate balance that helps foster
their development of skills in
activities that they may be involved
in for a lifetime,” Johnson says.
Considerations for extracurricular
activities:
• Will there be extra fees for
uniforms/equipment?
• Is the activity well staffed?
• Is the staff friendly and
energized?
• Are activities well organized?
• Is the environment clean
and safe?
• Do the kids appear to be
having fun?
DIY: Make your own music. Fill
drinking glasses with different levels
of water. Tap each jar lightly with
a spoon and listen for the varying
pitches and vibrations each emits.
Kids also like making their own
instruments from drums out of
oatmeal containers to rain sticks
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