Which after-school activity is best for my child?

The school year has begun and your children have started their extra-curricular activities. How to choose the best activity for your child? Whether it is an art or sports, it must above all connect with your child's personality. Here are some tips to help you navigate the many options.

A physical sport that conveys great values such as team spirit, respect, and fair play.

We recommend it for children who are full of energy, who are comfortable with physical contact, and who like to learn because rugby is a sport with complex rules and techniques.

We do not recommend it for children who have difficulty controlling their aggression.

Basketball teaches team spirit, communication, determination, fair play, and self-confidence.

We recommend it for children who like competition, can work on their mental agility, and who enjoy athletic sports.

We do not recommend it for children who have issues with motor skills.

Photo: Nik Shuliahin / Unsplash

Like the two previous sports, football promotes team spirit, determination, fair play, and promotes good physical condition.

We recommend it for children who like to exercise, play outdoor games, and interact with their friends.

We do not recommend it for children who have coordination problems or who tend to get aggressive while playing.

Photo: Omar Ram / Unsplash

Tennis is a physically and mentally demanding sport. It requires precision, patience, coordination, and concentration.

We recommend it for children who like to take on challenges and have a competitive spirit, who have already acquired good coordination, and who like to move.

We do not recommend it for anxious, impatient children who have difficulty staying focused.

Photo: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Athletics is multidisciplinary and promotes both individual and collective values such as respect, fair play, perseverance, and discipline.

We recommend it for enduring children who are curious to explore various activities.

We do not recommend it for anxious children, or for children who do not particularly like running.

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Classic, modern, contemporary... the choice of this discipline is vast. But overall, dance teaches high standards, determination, coordination, teamwork, and emotional expression. It also strengthens self-confidence.

We recommend it to creative children with an artistic sense who already have a certain talent for coordination.

We do not recommend it for anxious children or those who lack physical flexibility.

Photo: Francesco Tommasini / Unsplash

Horse riding helps one develop balance and concentration but also empathy towards animals, a sense of responsibility, and discipline.

We recommend it for children who love nature and animals and who already have a certain talent for coordination.

We do not recommend it for children who are not comfortable with animals, who lack empathy, or who are impatient.

Here is a sport that attracts new fans after each new edition of the Olympic Games. Fencing helps you develop reflexes, coordination of movements, agility, respect, discipline, and self-confidence.

We recommend it for children who have a strategic mind, quick reflexes, and a sense of discipline.

We do not recommend it for children who tend to be clumsy with unfamiliar objects or who have motor skills problems.

Judo teaches children respect, modesty, discipline, and self-control. It also teaches them to know their body better and channel their strength.

We recommend it for children who are full of energy and who have good coordination of their movements.

We do not recommend it for children who are not comfortable with physical contact or who tend to fall down easily.

This water sport helps develop muscles, coordination, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

We recommend it for children of all ages, with advanced levels for children who thrive in water.

We do not recommend it for children who are afraid of water or who get anxious about the element of competition.

Photo: B Mat an gelo / Unsplash

Gymnastics is the perfect discipline to work on flexibility and balance while developing muscles. It also teaches discipline and teamwork, and it builds self-confidence.

We recommend it for children who already have good coordination of their movements and who have a certain artistic sense.

We do not recommend it for children who feel bad about their bodies or who lack physical flexibility.

Theater is excellent for strengthening one's self-confidence and creative and artistic sense. It promotes team spirit, expressiveness, communication, and memory, and it broadens your child's cultural development.

We recommend it for shy children who need to boost their confidence, but also for sociable children.

We do not recommend it for anxious children or for children who have difficulty staying focused.

Piano, guitar, drums, violin... There are as many musical instruments as there are personalities. Learning to play an instrument helps develop a musical ear, concentration, discipline, motor skills, creativity, memory, sense of rhythm, and appreciation of culture.

We recommend it for children who show a natural interest in music and for children who are curious to learn.

We do not recommend it for children who have attention and concentration problems, or for those who have hearing hypersensitivity.

Photo: Siniz Kim / Unsplash

Learning to sing boosts expression and artistic creation while developing the musical ear. It also helps strengthen one's perseverance and self-confidence.

We recommend it for children who want to overcome their shyness and who have a natural interest in music.

We do not recommend it for children who suffer from acute anxiety or who have attention problems.

Drawing (or painting) lessons allow the child to develop their creativity and artistic expression, patience, perseverance, and precision.

We recommend it for children who are observant and who have imagination.

We do not recommend it for children who have attention and concentration problems, or for those who have trouble with motor coordination.

Whatever the case, it is important to offer your child an activity that arouses a certain interest in them. Don't sign him up for piano lessons if they primarily need to burn off their energy!

Photo: Baylee Gramling / Unsplash

At the same time, however, you may want to try to enroll your child in an activity that allows them to develop precisely what they lack (flexibility, concentration, etc.). In this case, be careful to support them well, because it will undoubtedly require more effort to avoid them from becoming discouraged.

Finally, keep in mind that nothing is fixed. Your children can always change or interrupt their activities during the year if they don't find fulfillment there.