ence on mathematics skills, including
the ability to recognize patterns, se-
quencing, spatial reasoning and tempo.
And according to the National Asso-
ciation 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.
— by Christa Melnyk Hines
Fun Once the Bell Rings
A
fter-school activities are
an essential and fun way
to round out your child’s
overall educational experience. Integrate
both structured and DIY activities that
complement your child’s disposition,
age and interests. experiencing loss builds resilience as
kids learn to persevere through disap-
pointment.
“Students in these activities learn
important social skills, are given the
opportunity to meet a wider variety of
peers, and gain more confidence and
self-esteem,” says Matt Johnson, a di-
rector of student services and athletics.
Furthermore, involved kids are more
motivated to do well academically. DIY: Burn off energy by shooting
hoops in the driveway, running through
a homemade obstacle course, or groovin’
to funky music before homework time.
Doodle, dabble, draw.
Art education contributes to prob-
lem-solving and critical thinking skills,
not to mention creativity. Independently-
run studios and museums offer classes
for kids of all ages like painting, draw-
ing and sculpture.
DIY: Put together an “imagination
bucket” with art supplies, including re-
cyclables, construction paper and other
doodads. Encourage your children to
present their individual masterpieces to
the family at dinner.
Move it.
Team sports nurture social, com-
munication and leadership skills. And
16 WNY Family September 2019
Individualized sports like swim-
ming, martial arts, or tennis are also ben-
eficial, helping kids develop focus and
self-discipline.
Checkmate!
A popular and ancient game of strat-
egy, chess fosters patience and impulse
control as players learn to plan and visu-
alize their moves on the board.
“Chess can help increase a student’s
focus and concentration along with help-
ing 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 instru-
ment learn to read music and gain a
sense of timing, beat and rhythm. Mul-
tiple research studies find a relationship
between music education and its influ-
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 vi-
brations each emits. Kids also like mak-
ing their own instruments from drums
out of oatmeal containers to rain sticks
from covered paper towel tubes.
Encore!
The performing arts offer a posi-
tive outlet for expressive children and
can enhance reading comprehension and
verbal and non-verbal communication
skills. Also consider debate, photogra-
phy and journalism clubs.
DIY: Help your child set up a blog
to share his writing and photos with a
select audience. Check out www.kidz-
world.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.
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?