by Carrie Spencer
As parents, we often wonder if we are doing enough to expand our child's knowledge and capabilities. School is essential, but what about after-school activities? Instead of enrolling our children in typical after-school sports programs or ballet classes, let's consider more unique and alternative activities to help broaden our child's horizons. This article from the Laity Institute of the Arts will explore different ways to inspire your child and expand their skillset outside of their academic routine.
Cooking Classes: An Exciting, Practical Skill
Cooking classes are a fantastic way to teach your child an essential life skill while opening them up to a diverse range of food combinations and cultures. Cooking classes provide an opportunity for children to work and bond in a team environment while learning to cook a variety of meals. These classes also introduce healthy eating habits while allowing time for creativity and culinary experimentation.
Debate Club: Fostering Verbal and Critical Thinking Skills
Joining a debate club has multiple benefits for children, such as improving critical thinking skills, building self-confidence, and enhancing public speaking skills. Debating also exposes children to important public issues and events and teaches them how to present ideas logically and persuasively. Overall, debate clubs are a great way for children to gain valuable skills while having fun.
Music and Dance Lessons: Alternative Creative Outlets
Music and dance lessons are alternative outlets for creativity that can increase self-esteem and enhance teamwork and social skills. These types of lessons also develop memory, focus, and discipline. They allow children to explore and express themselves creatively, which can develop into a life-long hobby or even a career path.
Encourage Entrepreneurship: Design Business Cards
Becoming a teen entrepreneur is an exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity and leadership skills. One important aspect of starting your own business is designing your company’s business cards. A well-designed business card can make a strong first impression on potential customers or partners. With the right design tools, you can create a visually appealing and professional-looking card that accurately represents your brand. If you need some inspiration or are ready to create your own design, click here.
STEM Classes: Emphasizing Problem-Solving
STEM classes focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These classes help children learn and develop scientific inquiry and problem-solving skills. They also teach children the importance of precision and accuracy and how to collaborate in a team environment. STEM classes can also broaden children's career prospects in fields such as medicine, engineering, and research.
Robotics or Coding Classes: Developing Lucrative Tech Skills
Technology is constantly evolving, and learning to code or build robots can give children a significant advantage in the future. These types of classes can teach children valuable problem-solving skills, encourage creativity, and even introduce potential career paths in technology. These classes also offer the opportunity for students to work together. Here’s a resource where kids can learn to code while having fun.
Community Service: A Healthy Perspective
Community service is a valuable experience for children to learn about social responsibility, empathy, and giving back. Participating in volunteer work for a local initiative or charity can teach children about the importance of supporting their community, as well as develop their character and help them to feel empowered to make a positive change in the world.
There is no limit to what children can achieve when allowed to explore their interests and passions. After-school activities are an excellent way to encourage and promote personal development outside of the traditional academic curriculum. Alternative activities like cooking classes, debate clubs, music and dance lessons, entrepreneurship, robotics and coding classes, community service, and STEM classes can help develop diverse skills and talents in children that extend beyond their academic education. Let's encourage our children to explore alternative after-school activities and inspire them to reach their full potential.