According to a study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, participation in afterschool activities was associated with higher than expected self-esteem. Children who believe in themselves are more likely to try new things, take healthy risks, and lead an active social life with a good group of friends. Secure children are more likely to bounce back when they face challenges, such as peer pressure or a bad grade on a test. But, children aren’t just born confident. As a parent, you have to encourage your child to grow into a confident leader – both academically and socially. One way to give your child a confidence boost is to enroll them in afterschool activities, which will help them find success and try something new.
Afterschool programs allow kids to interact with their peers, encouraging the development of their teamwork and communication skills. The more new activities they try, the more likely they are to discover new strengths they didn’t know they had, which is confidence-boosting in itself. Many high-achieving kids focus all of their effort on their academic performance. Pursuing non-academic interests, such as sports, speech and debate, and music, can provide balance to an otherwise academically focused life.
Top Afterschool Activities to Develop Your Child’s Confidence:
Speech and Debate: Developing their public speaking skills, overcoming stage fright, and thinking quickly on the fly, are all ways speech and debate will help your child step into their potential and become more confident.
STEM Clubs: Many STEM clubs, such as robotics, involve teamwork. An intellectual child will feel engaged by the prospect of working through a challenge, while developing life skills such as teamwork and building social connections that boost confidence.
Band or Orchestra: Few things are more nerve-wracking than performing a solo in front of the school band, but few things are also more empowering. Children who enjoy the challenge of learning an instrument will grow their confidence by overcoming risks, which leads to feeling secure in their abilities.
Team Sports: Children who have a large group of happy, active friends are more confident than those who feel alone or overlooked. Sports, such as basketball, soccer, and football are great ways your child can become more confident by growing their friend group and learning a new skill.
How to Choose the Right Afterschool Club
All of these strategies only work if your child is invested in these afterschool activities. Forcing your child to join an afterschool club they hate will only reduce their confidence, not grow it. Gently encourage your child to explore new clubs until they find the right fit. Ask for their input and respect their preferences.
With the right encouragement, every child can become more confident and prepared for their future, both socially and academically.
Parenting Tips to Foster Confidence:
For Ages 8 to 12:
Encourage them to try activities that allow them to experience both individual and team achievements.
Support consistent participation by prioritizing afterschool activities in your family’s schedule.
Celebrate their effort, not their achievements. Your child may not be the best player on the team, but they put in more practice time than anyone else– celebrate them as much as if they had just won a state championship.
For Ages 13 to 16:
Empower them to take on leadership roles, such as team captain, to develop their sense of responsibility.
Promote activities that challenge their comfort zones and require a higher level of commitment.
Respect their choices as they begin to identify interests that align with their long-term goals.
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