Children’s Clubs

Is there a need to enroll your child in a club? Will it overwork the child? Or maybe you need to follow the idea that changing activities is the most effective form of recreation? In this case, which club should you enroll your daughter in, and which one will be of interest to your son? How to choose the right activity that will appeal to the child and will also develop his/her skills and abilities?

Surely, every parent at a certain stage had similar questions. And here it is difficult to find a definite answer. Mom and dad are obliged to weigh the pros and cons, analyzing the employment and hobbies of their child.

The benefits of social clubs and activities to children

This kind of change can effectively help the child take a break from the difficult and tiring school day and help to cope with the fatigue that has accumulated during the day. Immediately after classes in a section or a circle, the child will be ready to take on the preparation of homework with renewed vigor.

Clubs as an option for organizing children’s free time

This is probably the most common pros that parents use when scheduling their children. Indeed, both sports sections and clubs are often the only effective method of organizing extracurricular time for those parents who work all day long and do not have the opportunity to study with their child at home. Children who are engaged in a certain type of activity outside of school have much less opportunity to create troubles at home, get into trouble on the street, learn bad habits (for example, start smoking while looking at senior reputable courtyard comrades, or addicted to slot machines). Indeed, in fact, being in a club, under the supervision of a teacher, you may not worry about a child and not control.

Clubs as an element of child’s communications

Very often, psychologists advise parents to send their overly shy or withdrawn children to any club that their child chooses. Since there are not very large groups, the child will not receive as much stress as at school, and in a club, it is not so scary to get to know each other. And the kids in the clubs have similar interests, hobbies, and this makes it easier to establish strong friendly contacts.

In addition, for each child, a group in a section is a mini-model of society. Because of the less formal setting, children are more likely to experience a variety of behaviors. Whereas the need to achieve a common goal pushes children to develop communication skills, teaches them to correctly resolve contradictions, correctly defend personal opinions and also diplomatically resolve disputes.

Clubs as a way to form the child’s independence and responsibility

When a child showed a desire to go to a certain club, this indicates that he/she needs to learn to memorize, as well as to keep several things under control at the same time. For instance:

]It is important to understand that if the parents continue to perform all such tasks instead of the child, their child will not learn anything. And in this case, a lot depends on the adults. You do not need to perform in place of the child those tasks that he or she can cope with on his/her own (albeit at the beginning and incorrectly or with great effort), in the event that you want to use the potential of extracurricular activities. Whereas it is necessary to help your baby learn independence. We will pay attention to the issue of the correct organization of the child’s time a little later.

Clubs as a way to reveal the child’s abilities

In this context, there are several options:

Clubs as a method of increasing a child’s self-esteem

During classes in a club, every kid is able to succeed. Perhaps a little, but this is already incredibly important to him or her. Such a mini-victory can strengthen the child’s self-confidence. After that, he/she will be more confident in life.

Naturally, this will not be done solely with the achievements in the section. In addition, parents should focus on the child’s success. Boast your friends, emphasize that you are proud of your child. Of course, it is better to do this directly in his/her presence. In addition, formulate your praise in such a way that the child understands that in the future he/she is expected to do the same in other areas. The main thing is not to overdo it. It is not entirely correct to believe that, since the child is still small, he or she will not be able to distinguish between flattery and sincere praise. Your encouragement should be commensurate with your child’s actual success. Remember that your desire to please your child through insincere endorsements can lead to the fact that your daughter or son will simply no longer trust your words.

It is worth thinking seriously here. Maybe you’re exhausting a talented dancer or musician with complicated equations. Or maybe you are forcing a gifted chess player to swim. Of course, every parent would like their child to please with their success in school. Naturally, school lessons will be useful in the future. However, even if something does not work out for your child, slow down, try to answer the question: perhaps your child will be able to live without this skill? Is it possible that all this is not worth the efforts, tears and nerves of a small child? Parents need to take a closer look, their child definitely has the very abilities that are worth being proud of. Moreover, it is necessary to be proud of such abilities as much as of high grades in school. It is worth trying to consider such abilities. It is important just to find the place where your child can show their inclinations. Just trust in the child, support him/her. And he/she will definitely be able to achieve success, gain confidence not just in a certain narrow area, but in his/her life as a whole.

Children’s clubs in the UK: types of circles, their benefits

Thus, you decided to send your child to a section or a club, but so far you do not understand which one to choose? It is really not easy to choose one activity. Today, the range of clubs is huge, even an adult can go dizzy from such a variety. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular and useful children’s clubs in the UK.

Brief characteristics of sports clubs

There are many sports clubs: swimming pool, athletics, tennis, basketball, hockey, trampoline, different types of martial arts, football, volleyball and more. It’s hard to list everything. And each sport has its own characteristics. Some sports require certain initial abilities. The rest can be mastered by anyone. The final choice is determined by the initial data of the little athlete, his or her preferences, interests, as well as many other factors (the price of classes, the availability of sports clubs near the home, and much more).

Brief description of choreographic clubs

Brief description of art clubs

Brief description of musical clubs

While all other clubs can be attended on a hobby level, music lessons are more serious, they require more effort. The child will spend a lot of nerves, energy and time on learning. In some cases, you even have to force and control your child. In the event that the child does not demonstrate a great desire to make music, think about whether it is necessary to start learning at all.

Brief description of vocal clubs

There are many vocal directions: folk, pop vocals, rock, rap, opera, etc.

Brief description of classes in theater studios

Benefits of classes in applied arts clubs

Applied arts clubs include courses in modeling, sewing, creating a soft toy, knitting, beading and much more.

Characteristics of “scientific” clubs

All circles that are entirely aimed at the development of thinking, logic, and the study of the most diverse areas of science fit into this category. For instance:

Thanks to the additional information that the child studies, his/her perception and horizons expand;

Things to consider when choosing a children’s club

First of all, it is important to analyze what is most interesting for your child, whether he/she has certain inclinations, abilities, talents. It is not at all necessary for the child to have a certain clearly visible talent or interest in any business. Since often, the most important task is to correctly organize the child’s free time, to provide him/her with an opportunity for emotional relaxation after a hard school day. In some cases, it is necessary to select the activity in which the child does not show special abilities but has a great desire to learn and practice.

It is worth immediately excluding those sections in which classes will require certain initial skills and abilities. If your child does not have them, he or she simply will not be taken into the club, against the wishes of your son or daughter and your capabilities. Of course, if you want your child to be able to reach certain heights, he/she should do exactly that business for which he/she has the makings, as well as that which fascinates him/her.

Ask your child what he/she is interested in. Maybe he/she already knows which club to choose, maybe he/she wants to learn something. And maybe he/she knows absolutely nothing about it. In this case, you need to explain what it is, what it will give him/her, what it will teach him/her, offer the child several options for clubs, describing in bright colors all the advantages of this or that activity.

The main mistake of parents is to enroll their child in a certain club without first consulting with him/her. Naturally, children cannot always correctly assess the situation, as well as make a balanced and informed decision. In some cases, it may seem to them that they do not need anything at all, except for games and entertainment. And in some cases, it turns out that “a drama club, a photo club, and I also want to sing …”. A child can opt for an occupation that is beyond his/her power solely because his/her classmate friend is already engaged in this club. And yet, you do not need to take your child to a club or to a section against his/her will: no one will benefit from this, and in the end, you will simply waste your time, money, and nerves in vain.

After you decide which sections to enroll the child in, immediately try to scout the area. Upon arrival at the club, talk to the teacher, as well as the leader of the club. Chat with parents of children who have been visiting this club for a long time. If possible, it is best to find out the children’s opinion about the club.

Evaluate whether you feel comfortable on the territory of the club, whether all the necessary conditions have been created for a successful course, and be sure to ask what form of clothing the child needs to choose, what items are needed for lessons.

If everything suits you, go with your child to the first trial lesson. In most clubs, it’s free. And at the end of the lesson, ask if he/she liked the lesson, the teacher and the team. If all is well, you can sign up for such a club.

It is best to involve your child in shaping the daily routine. The child will be more willing to follow exactly the routine that he or she developed with you, and not the one that you imposed on him/her. When drawing up a daily routine, offer your child different options, let him/her have the opportunity to choose. Because, ultimately, it is he or she who needs to live according to such a formed plan.

Get rid of silly illusions first. Your child is still very young, he/she simply cannot bear full responsibility for him-/herself and his/her behavior. The child’s interests are not stable – today he/she likes one thing, tomorrow – completely different. This suggests that in any case, parents are obliged to control the process – you must be aware of what activities your children have and at what time, what they take with them, what tasks they have to do. This is a little insurance in case the child forgets something. Remind me if he or she forgot something. Be prepared that the child may be capricious and refuse to go even to the most favorite club. Try to persuade him/her, but still make sure that this is a common whim or a deeper reluctance to engage in such a section.

Please note that your task as a parent is to take care of the mental, physical, social and creative development of your child. And all the difficulties that are encountered in the process are not so great in comparison with this key goal.