Out of School Activities
| Many children enjoy organised activities out of school of one kind or another. In this section, Parents Online makes some suggestions for things your child could do - some familiar, some, perhaps, less so. |
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Quite apart from the enjoyment your child may get from the activities, there are other good reasons for encouraging them to take part:
- They may meet different children - possibly from a different range of backgrounds. Not only is this fun, it may also help children who are shy, or who are having difficulty at school build their confidence.
- They will have a chance to relate to adults in a slightly different way than they do either with teachers or members of their family.
- The range of activities offered will give your children the chance to build different skills. This can be especially helpful for children who are having difficulty with formal schoolwork.
- As the government places more emphasis on literacy, numeracy and the requirements of the national curriculum, some schools are finding it difficult to find time for art, drama and other creative activities, and sport. Out of school activities can pick up the slack.
- And don't forget - they give Mum and Dad a break!
So, what's available? Broadly speaking, there are four kinds of out of school activities:
- Organised group activities such as Brownies, Cub Scouts and others.
- After-school clubs organised by the school itself, or your local authority.
- Classes in drama, art, and other creative activities.
- Formal and informal sports training and sessions.