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One point is clear from the outset: practicing an activity, creative or sporting, is not compulsory! Some children will consider themselves sufficiently fulfilled because what they do in nursery or at school (singing, gymnastics, plastic arts…) and will have, in their spare time, only one ambition: to play. This will not prevent them from developing harmoniously and will not frustrate their natural curiosity. An activity must remain a pleasure, without ever becoming a constraint, neither for the child nor for his parents.
Certain benefits in all cases
Extracurricular, sports, artistic or other practice is beneficial and can sometimes help a little one to flourish even better.
The activity supports the psychomotor development of the child. He must always exercise his concentration. Depending on the field, the interest will rather focus on the discovery of the body, the coordination of movements and gestures, the apprehension of space, the awakening of the senses …
She can counterbalance a somewhat intrusive aspect of her personality. Thus a shy person will gain confidence in expressing himself in a field where his aptitudes are valued. Likewise, the practice of a sport will channel the overflow of energy of a very toned child.
A new space of expression is offered to him. Although her creativity is encouraged at home and at school, an activity that suits her tastes can inspire her to go further. She becomes a bit of his secret garden, where her personality flourishes, independent of her family and classmates.
Socialization side too, the benefit is real. Each activity, each group has its own rules, which differ from those of the house and those of the school. However, at this age, the child must learn, as best he can, to give up imposing his own will in order to adapt to life in community.
The horizon of the little one widens. He naturally manifests an insatiable curiosity. This quality will remain a driving force for learning, growing and doing business. Discovering new areas and new practices helps to fuel it.
Dialogue for better guidance
A 3-4 year old child rarely expresses a wish to participate in an activity on his own. If offered to him and he accepts, he will not necessarily know where his preference is. Parents, most of the time, to make suggestions.
Take into account his temperament and his tastes. We have seen that an activity could help him to heal himself of little faults… But not too much! It is not a question of doing violence to himself or finding himself in a situation of failure. For example, a little skillful with his hands risks toiling in a plastic arts workshop, without gaining in dexterity. Getting on the boards can be torture for an introvert, who would be even more closed in on himself.
It is not for him to make your old dreams come true. Do you regret not having practiced dance or music? But your child may not have any attraction for these disciplines. In this case, do not insist.
From 4 years old, he can express a personal wish. Some children claim an activity practiced by their parents, others deliberately dissociate themselves from it. Still others are influenced by a comrade or by fashion. Whatever ? They don’t commit for life.
Can’t find her choice wise? If you have objective reasons, speak with him clearly: contraindications concerning his health (with the advice of the doctor), cost too high for your budget, no nearby structure … Or, quite simply, maybe is he not yet of the required age? Then offer an alternative.
Don’t be fooled by your own appreciation of his “gifts”. Her desire may allow her to thrive in an area you never even imagined. And if there was a real incompatibility, he would notice it; at the cost of a disappointment perhaps, but not serious at this age when infatuations pass quickly. If it’s just a matter of taste, all you have to do is bow. And too bad if you hate football or if you can’t stand the sound of the violin!
Set off together on a good basis
Even described with precision, an activity remains abstract for a child. Or else he gets an idea that is quite distant from reality. Only a test session (or better yet, two or three) will allow him to really realize. Associations, clubs, etc. generally offer it, sometimes even for free.
Start piano! A single activity, with a weekly session, is more than enough. He must keep time to play, to dream … A ministerial agenda can harm his balance.
If possible, prefer Wednesday, late morning or early afternoon. After a day of school, a child shows a certain fatigue, which hardly favors his concentration. It’s because we work in kindergarten! At least, we learn there and we are subject to rules. When going out, a little one appreciates especially being able to move, play or rest. On Saturdays, activity encroaches on family time and sometimes competes with outings, which can affect attendance and cause tension.
Choose a structure close to your home. It will save you a long transportation time. On the other hand, your child will be able to meet school friends there, or to make new ones in his neighborhood.
Make this break a recreation for both of you. As for the journeys, try to avoid the cavalcades both of you! The more serene he arrives, the better he will benefit from the activity. And why not take the opportunity to give yourself a moment of relaxation as well? Rather than making the most of your waiting time, by shopping for example, immerse yourself in a good novel, call a friend or swim a few lengths of the pool. When it comes time to reunite, you will be more available to listen attentively to his comments.
Reasonable expectations
Depending on his temperament, your little one will give you more or less his impressions of his new adventure. Do not “cook” it insistently, it will come!
To calm your worries, you have an interlocutor: the speaker. If he tells you that your child seems comfortable, that he participates and communicates with his classmates, all is well. It is important to bond and maintain contact with this person. But don’t bombard him with questions! It is at the service of an entire group, not of your only cherub.
An activity is not school! At this age, we are not talking about learning but about initiation. We don’t demand results, let alone performance. We are looking for pleasure, openness, fulfillment. Parents find it difficult to give up the hope that their child will stand out and manifest certain “gifts”. However, one can consider oneself delighted as soon as he feasts – which he will do all the more easily because he is not subjected to excessive expectations.
Do not continue the activity at home, unless he expressly expresses the desire to do so. By making him “work” between two sessions, you risk disgusting him.
At this age, infatuations do not always last long. If your child wants to change activities every year, if not more often, don’t accuse him of being inconsistent. The notion of commitment remains foreign to him. His need for variety testifies to a very positive curiosity and desire for discovery. Perhaps, from the age of 8, he will discover a lasting passion. For now, he’s having fun. However, pleasure is a powerful engine to move forward in life.