A child playing football. [Photo/pinimg.com/]Books without play make children restless, pushing them to beings who do nothing, but spend their time on TV or playing video games. Extracurricular activities get them off the couch, boost their development emotionally, physically and even psychologically.
Sports
Besides being a potential and viable career, participating in sports has countless health benefits for children. As they have fun while playing football racing, skating, swimming, cycling, basketball, horse riding or athletics, they strengthen their cardiovascular fitness, keep obesity risk at bay, develop social skills and improve their mental functioning.
Dance
Places like Dance Kenya Studio offer various types of dance classes. If your child loves dancing; whether it’s hip-hop, ballet or Afro-Latin, they are catered for here and many other places across the country. Dance improves their creativity, fitness and boosts their mental health.
Music
Scrapping music off the primary level school curriculum was a terrible move. Music is not just a fun activity, but it can also shape a child’s career path. It is one of the subjects that should be re-introduced in schools.
Martial arts
We are talking Tae kwon do, Karate, Capoeira, Jiu-jitsu, Kung fu, among others. They are incredible self-confidence boosters, self-discipline and respect inculcators. Exposing children to such activities at a young age does them a lot of good.
Drama/ theatre
People offer drama and theatrical training at affordable prices. During school holidays, there are individuals who pitch camp and dedicate themselves to teaching young ones acting skills. If you can afford it, don’t let your child miss out.
Photography
Non-profit organizations such as Photo Start have taken the initiative to change disadvantaged children’s lives through photography. They teach them business and life skills. There are so many organizations doing this. Parents should go out there and look for them.
Design
It could be fashion or something to do with home décor. It is never too early to introduce these artsy subjects to children. Nobody should underestimate the power of early and meaningful exposure.
Spoken word/poetry
If there is anything that is making tremendous waves right now, it is poetry among young people. They’re making a living out of it; something that might have seemed impossible five years ago. Children need to be gently driven towards such activities they could be life-changing.