Extracurricular Activities for Tweens and Teens

Today's tweens and teens have a wide selection of extra curricular activities from which to choose. From art clubs, to reading group,s to sport,s and beyond, there is something for everyone! The good news is that extra curricular activities can provide your child with a host of benefits. The bad news is that you have to keep extra curricular activities in check so that your child doesn't become overextended. However, mastering the extra curricular balancing act is actually easier than you may think!

You may think choosing the right sport for your child is a simple decision, but it's no easy feat. In order to get your teen or tween started on the road to an active life, you can help her choose the sport or activity that best benefits her. There are a variety of organized sports and individual activities, and, as parents, we need to take into consideration our child's individual traits and mentality when choosing one.

Most people know that after-school activities promote healthy, well-rounded children. Extracurricular activities may help teens and tweens stay on track and out of trouble. Whether your child is in middle school or high school, he should be participating in some sort of after-school activity. Depending on his interests and individual skill-sets, these activities may encourage physical exercise or mental stimulation. In addition, colleges and universities also take note of extracurricular organizations in which potential students participate.

Teens can get into trouble when they are bored, home alone, or have nothing to do. After school activities are a great way to help kids develop their interests and keep them occupied and out of trouble. Most teens already have an idea of where their interests lie making it easier for parents to determine which after school activities will best suit their needs.

If you're new to the whole summer camp idea, finding the right camp can seem like a tedious and never-ending task. If you search the Internet, you will be bombarded with thousands of listings of camps that seem to offer top amenities and learning centers for your child. Before you start typing in that search box, you and your child need to discuss and determine some basic "must-haves" for the right summer camp.

By the time your child is a tween or teen, he will be old enough to help you decide what type of summer camp he would like to attend. From sleep away camps to local day camps, there is nearly always an available program to fit the budget, time constraints, and interests. Be sure to consider all of your options when choosing the perfect summer camp. Discuss your child's interests with him and work together to decide which camp is best.

Every parent has witnessed the meltdown that comes with losing. Kids want to win so badly that they can't stand the feeling of coming in second place. When they are young, kids may throw a fit, or even the game. As they get older, they may say things in anger that can make the most outspoken parent's face turn red. It's important to talk to your kids about how to deal with losing before engaging in any sport.

By the time a child is a teen or tween, she has most likely already been exposed to her first team sports experiences. She may also have developed a strong like or dislike for them. Some kids try to avoid team sports, usually due in part to poor experiences in the past. From overly harsh coaches to pushy parents, many kids run from team sports because of the pressures involved.

Each year, many kids sign up for a variety of sports. Some do so because they love sports and others do so because their parents have pushed them in that direction. One drawback of sports can be overtraining. Whether kids feel the pressure to continuously train from their parents, coaches, or their own drive to excel, overtraining can be unhealthy. Be sure to monitor your child's involvement in sports to avoid the overtraining trap.

Most parents have witnessed their child lose a game or activity and then braced themselves for the fallout. While your teen or teens may not exhibit the signs of a "sore loser" like a younger child, it's still important to talk with him after a game. Many times, teens and teens link their self-worth to the loss or the win of a game, so be sure to provide encouragement and support.