5 Extracurricular Activities That Help Develop Social Skills
When children are young, they may have trouble interacting with their peers. If they seem quiet and withdrawn, getting them involved in an afterschool activity can help them come out of their shell and feel more comfortable. Discover five extracurricular activities that help kids develop social skills.
Gymnastics
You may see gymnastics as a purely athletic activity where your little one will learn about activities like tumbling, cartwheels, or handstands. But it can give them the opportunity to learn how to listen closely to their instructors or engage with the other children in the class.
They may even make friends and ask you to sign them up for gymnastics camp. In that situation, you need to know how many leotards your child will need for summer camp so that they can properly hone their skills while having fun.
Volunteering
As a parent, you want your child to grow up to be a person who will always lend a helping hand. Volunteering can help them develop that trait, but it can provide them with social skills as well.
Participating in a volunteer group will teach them the value of collaborating with others as they help people. The experience will even give them knowledge and understanding about how hard life can be for some people.
Playing Music
The activity of playing music can be beneficial to a child’s social skills. As they practice playing an instrument or singing a song, they will learn to do it in harmony with the other children in the group.
This experience teaches the value of working in cooperation with others. Otherwise, the music won’t sound as good as it should.
Acting in Plays
If your child seems nervous about speaking in public, consider signing them up for a role in a school play. Although they may never grow up to win a Tony, the experience has the potential to boost their confidence about talking in front of others.
After the experience of performing, they may feel more comfortable when they must give a speech or address a group. They may even learn empathy for others as they take on a role in a play and stand in the shoes of someone other than themselves.
Sports
Playing extracurricular sports is a great way for your child to learn the importance of teamwork and communication. In addition, sports allow them to have fun and do some physical activity, which is good for their health.
When your children participate in activities that help them develop their social skills, they will be better prepared for their future lives. They may even thank you someday for signing them up for these activities.
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