How Extracurricular Activities Benefit Your Kids Unlock a World of Opportunities
As children return to school in August, they’ll likely be interested in one or more extracurricular activities. Opportunities both in school and in the community are numerous, such as participating in a local play, joining a school club or sports team, and many others. Extracurricular activities are perfect for getting kids out of the house, but these ventures will also help them gain valuable experiences along with these three benefits. IMPROVES SOCIAL SKILLS One of the biggest concerns parents have had since we experienced lockdowns during the pandemic is that their children struggle to communicate with others. Most of these kids were away from their peers for a year or more, which weakened their social skills. Participating in an extracurricular activity gives your kids a chance to communicate with others outside of a school setting. They’ll learn how other people think and how to best respond to certain situations. BOLSTERS COLLEGE APPLICATIONS If your child wants to attend college after high school, joining a club, team, or organization will
give them a leg up on other candidates. College admissions officers love to see students who participate in extracurricular activities because it shows they are involved in their community and possess leadership and teamwork skills. While extracurriculars are not as important as other factors for college admissions, they still play a decisive role in the college’s choice to accept your child. HELPS THEM DISCOVER THEIR PASSIONS There are countless examples of kids discovering their true passion through participating in extracurricular activities. Your child might not become a professional athlete, but they might discover an alternate career path, like becoming a physical therapist or personal trainer by playing a sport. If your kid likes animals, they might find a prospective career path by volunteering at the zoo. If one activity doesn’t appeal to them, try another. Before long, you’ll find the perfect interest for your child.
So, if you’re looking to reignite your creative spark and live longer as a result, here are three ways you can bring more creativity into your everyday life. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX — AND TRAVEL THERE, TOO. Traveling is more than fun; it’s great for inspiring creativity. In fact, a historical study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who travel have more creative success, perform better on divergent thinking tests, and are generally more open-minded. The trick with thinking and traveling outside the box doesn’t always need to be about going to far-off lands with another language. Sometimes, it’s just about trying that new deli that opened down the block, going to that flower show on the other side of town, or even trying to bake bread for the very first time. The goal is to expose yourself to any new experience and view it with a childlike wonder. Worry about nothing other than having fun! USE WHAT YOU KNOW TO MAKE SOMETHING NEW! As we age, we collect a lifetime’s worth of valuable knowledge, but just having information isn’t creative. Combine your wisdom with family recipes, knitting, sewing, or woodworking to develop a brand- new creation! SEEK NEW PERSPECTIVES. If you do the same thing every day and only surround yourself with like-minded people, you’ll never be exposed to new ideas. The trick to inspiring creativity in your life is to see the world in a different way. You can do that by reading literature, talking to people, and listening to media that challenges your ideas.
Color Outside Life’s Lines
When considering the key factors in active aging, most people talk about things like diet, exercise, and social connections. And while these things are all important, some studies show that engaging in creative activities can also lead to greater longevity. To many people, “creativity” sounds like something you do with a paintbrush or pencil, but according to University of Connecticut professor James C. Kaufman, this doesn’t have to be the case. You can find creativity in everyday tasks like parenting, yardwork, or even talking with friends — you just have to know where to look! HOW CREATIVITY HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER
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