Feature/General
Beyond the Classroom
By Jamie Sommers
Jan/Feb 2007

Math ... science ... reading ... writing ... grammar ... history. Both public and private school boards across the country say those are the core elements of a child's education, even the most important elements. But those areas alone do not make for a complete education.

Providing your child with opportunities to explore his interests outside of school is a great way to open doors allowing your child to discover himself.

Non‑arts activities like karate or tae kwon do classes, gymnastics and team sports programs instill children with self‑discipline, cooperation and teamwork, respect for themselves and for authority figures, great listening skills and more - all elements that positively build a child's self‑esteem.  It doesn't matter what the activity is as long as it's one that the child is interested in and wants to pursue.
Aside from building self‑esteem, enrichment activities of all kinds allow children to grow socially and emotionally. Other positive contributions that extracurricular activities of any kind give to a child include a sense of belonging to a part of something and building friendships along the way.  Motor skills become more sharply tuned and physical fitness is increased in sports‑related activities.  Though all those things are important, the pure enjoyment factor a child receives from a particular activity speaks loudly for itself.

Recognizing your child's individual talents is an important step toward enriching his experiences in those areas. Still, it's important to expose him to as many diverse experiences as possible so he can uncover his interests.

Take your child to visit the classes where the activities are held that he's interested in. You'll get a much more in‑depth understanding of the class, teacher and other students by actually attending. Don't just make an assumption based on something you've read. Get as much information as possible in order to make the best decisions.

The role you play in your child's extracurricular endeavors is a crucial one in regard to your child's success.  Be a part of your child's activities by seeing your child's dance recitals, going to a choral performance, seeing to it that he practices his instrument every day, attending the school play, watching the gymnastics competition or occasionally sitting in on his karate class to watch him spar.  The support and encouragement you provide heavily impacts your child's self‑esteem and the enjoyment he receives from the interests he's pursuing.

Be supportive in all aspects, even if it appears your child isn't doing as well as others. Keep in mind that some children don't catch on as quickly as others, but as long as his interest is there, the talent and ability is sure to cultivate itself.

Maintain balance in your child's schedule. Guard against too many activities and not enough time to do them. Make sure there's always plenty of time to do homework, household chores and just to be a kid. Too many activities can dampen spirits and overload a child, causing tremendous stress and anxiety from fear of failure.

Jaime Sommers is a freelance writer living in East Nashville.

Expanding Your Child's Horizons

• Provide an arts and crafts box at home filled with a variety of creative materials.
• Create a costume trunk and encourage your kids to perform a theatrical show for the family.
• Provide opportunities for your children to have meaningful experiences:  playing with friends, trips to museums, the zoo, nature programs or hands‑on activities offered locally.
• Schedule regular family outings to events like live concerts, theatrical productions, art exhibits, sporting events or multicultural programs.
• Encourage your child to pursue his interests and be a cheerleader of support.
• Spark interest in your child's sense of self‑discovery by signing up for a parent/child art class you can do together.  Your enthusiasm and interest will be contagious.