What Activities Should Children Engage in Besides Studying?
Children should be raised in a healthy environment where they can develop all the necessary and beautiful qualities like empathy, critical thinking, resilience, emotional intelligence, communication skills, self discipline etc. For their overall development, it is absolutely important to be engaged in various activities apart from just studying for boosting their self confidence and improving some crucial life skills.
To promote their physical, emotional and mental growth they should be more engaged in various activities which can be the mixture of different physical activities and creative or social activities. Let’s discuss them one by one.
1. Physical Activities
Kids should be more involved in different physical activities to stay healthy and fit. There are a variety of different activities to keep the kids engaged and active ,choose the appropriate one as per children’s interest. They can be helpful in developing strong bones and muscles, improving coordination and balance, building body strength or maintaining overall physical fitness. Let’s discuss those activities and their benefits.
Sports:
- Team sports like football or basketball can help the Children in making new friends and socializing .
- Individual sports like Swimming, Gymnastics, tennis can be helpful in building self confidence.
Dance:
- There are so many dance forms like hip-hop, Ballet or contemporary etc. Dancing improves coordination and balance.
Outdoor play:
- Hide and seek, tag or simple ball games are helpful in staying active and in mental health issues like anxiety or lack of self esteem . Kids usually enjoy these types of activities.
Martial arts:
- It is important to teach kids Discipline. Activities like Gymnastics, karate, judo, kickboxing and taekwondo can be helpful. These are absolutely perfect for building not only strength but endurance and flexibility.
2. Creative Activities
Most interesting and kid’s favorite activities come under this section. These activities foster creativity, imagination and self-expression.
Arts:
- sketching, painting, drawing or Pottery. These all are forms of visual arts and are extremely creative, which few kids love to pursue as a profession in future.
Music:
- Learning any new instrument or composing music can be a very enriching experience for kids. Few kids love to learn singing also.
Crafts:
- Not everyone can pursue activities like this in the long term as they need Patience and skill. Students who learn these at a young age can definitely be very observant and Patient effortlessly. Activities like Knitting, sewing, and woodworking come under the craft’s section.
Writing:
- Kids who enjoy literature or poetry can easily develop skills like creativity, critical thinking and fluency in communication. It can be helpful in creating awareness of surroundings, self improvement and time management. ex. Creative writing, journalism or poetry etc.
3. Outdoor Exploration
Exploring in nature is important for kids to feel connected with the roots and gratitude towards nature. Being in a different environment and close to nature can be very peaceful and rewarding.
Gardening:
- Learning planting and harvesting techniques can be a very unique experience for the kids. Simply memorable for a lifetime.
Outdoor game:
- Playing soccer, capture the flag or frisbee can be fun for kids.
Walk in nature:
- Simply exploring parks, trails and observing nature are always a wonderful experience.
Camping or trekking:
- Going on trips for trekking, hiking or camping can be exhilarating and exciting activities for kids. Let them explore different places and feel connected with surroundings.
4. Social Activities
Most important skill that can be develop in children at a very young age is to interact with effective communication and empathy with the help of few activities like:
Friendships:
- Encourage play dates and start early socialization with kids of the same age. Let them resolve their internal conflicts on their own. Teach them to be respectful.
Team building:
- Joining a school sports team or different clubs like book, drama or chess etc., can be a guide for the future in being a team player.
Volunteer work and community
service:
- Being active in various local charity events or participation in community service like fundraising campaigns or environmental initiatives develops an empathy, sense of responsibility and gratefulness.
Family time:
- People often ignore that the difference can be made through a joyful experience in family outings or dinners. Always arrange game nights or weekends where kids can be around the family. Notice that it can boost their confidence and improve sense of belonging
5. Life skills
Let the kids be independent and self-sufficient by teaching them essential life skills so that they can be well prepared for the future.
Cooking:
- Each and every child must know how to cook basic things. May it be a simple recipe or basic baking it will always be helpful in times of need.
Time management:
- Even few adults lack this skill which is very important to be taught as kid. Creating schedules or prioritizing tasks both are the important factors in learning time management.
Financial planning:
- Literacy for managing basic expenses always comes handy. Budget planning and money management is an important skill to teach as a kid.
Household chores:
- Children should be self sufficient for managing responsibilities like keeping things neat and clean, cleaning laundry or simple utensils.
6. Mindful and Relaxing Activities
Anyone can experience stress and anxiety at any age. Never take mental health for granted. Children can be benefited by following activities in order to feel calm and relaxed.
Yoga:
- Few Yoga poses and breathing exercises can help in relaxation of body and mind as well.
Meditation: Take the help of apps or classes, they can guide them to be at peace mentally.
Reading:
- It can bring ultimate relaxation and can be helpful in diverting the kids from a stressful environment. Reading brings joy and a sense of imagination.
Journaling:
- Teach the kids to write down the positive or negative thoughts and feelings, it will help them to overcome the sadness and achieve calmness of mind.
7. Activities for building and cognitive skills
We must ensure that the children must learn problem solving skills and develop essential cognitive skills. This can be achieved through activities like Obstacle courses, building simple structures or models, solving puzzles like jigsaw or crosswords etc.
8. Language and cultural activities
Learning any new language can be helpful for children to broaden their perspective and understand various new cultures. They can learn any traditional cuisine from a totally different culture or travel to new places to explore different lifestyles of people. Attending concerts, exhibitions or cultural festivals can be helpful in expanding their knowledge of the world.
Conclusion:
Generally every child is full of energy and enthusiasm, therefore you just have to channelise their energy and curiosity in a right way towards their extra curricular interests and you can see the results for yourself. A balanced childhood helps a child to be a happy, healthy and a successful individual.