Source: How Hobbies & Activities Can Help Children with Mental Health

As parents and educators, we’re always eager to expose our students to diverse activities beyond the classroom. Extracurricular activities―sports, music, drama, debate, or other teams―are an excellent way for students to interact with other like-minded students. Extracurricular activities can also help students develop important skills, build self-esteem, and foster a sense of belonging. However, it’s important to understand the potential pitfalls of these activities. In this blog, we discuss how to support your child’s well-being and mental health in the extracurricular setting.

Encourage Your Child To Take Breaks

It’s important to remind your child that they are more than their extracurricular activities. They can take breaks to rest and recharge. Encouraging balance and regular breaks from extracurricular activities can help your child avoid exhaustion. Encourage your child to prioritize their mental health, and if they need a day off from their regular practices, make sure they take it.

Promote Open Communication

One of the best ways to support your child’s mental health in an extracurricular activity is to build open communication. Encourage your child to share their worries and concerns with you. Listening to them can help you understand what might be causing the stress. Give them your undivided attention, listen to them non-judgmentally, and use affirmations and empathy to validate their concerns.

Foster a Balanced Lifestyle

It’s vital to encourage your child to pursue other interests aside from the extracurricular activities. For example, encouraging them to read, volunteer, engage in hobbies, can help them develop a more balanced lifestyle. Having other interests can help children recharge their batteries and reduce burnout in extracurricular activities.

Model Positive Mental Health Behaviors

It’s essential for parents and educators to model healthy behaviors around mental health. By being transparent about their own struggles, it can empower the students in your life to be proactive about their mental health. For instance, it shows that it is okay to seek professional help or therapy. By setting this example, we show that mental health is an essential aspect of overall well being.

Celebrate Growth and Practice Kindness

As a parent or educator, it’s important to foster a supportive environment around your child’s extracurricular activities. Celebrating progress, practice, and effort can build self-esteem and motivate them to continue doing what they love. Also, modeling kindness and respect can have a positive influence on your child’s mental health and wellbeing.

In conclusion, extracurricular activities are an excellent way to promote your child’s growth and development. As much as they have their benefits, they can be the cause of high stress and burnout. However, supporting your child’s well-being and mental health in the extracurricular setting can lead to a more holistic experience. By establishing a balance between practice and relaxation, good communication, celebrating progress, modeling healthy behaviors around mental health, and focusing on being kind, supportive, and respectful, you protect your child’s mental health and support their overall well-being.