Extracurricular activity – an activity that takes place outside of school, not during normal school hours
Extracurricular activities are an important part of giving your child a well-rounded education. A child’s world should be as limitless as possible. Children need to explore their world, and find out what they enjoy and what they do not enjoy. They need to be aware of what their body can accomplish, and learn how to safely push past limitations. Children need to grow socially, and have a chance to practice their social skills outside of a normal teacher/student environment.
Here is a fun list of extracurricular activities for girls. It is important to allow your young daughter to try her hand at as many of these activities as possible; then, when she gets older, she knows which activity she may want to focus on and develop.
Art
Art class is a great way for her daughter to express her creativity. Most art classes will begin working with children at age 5. Children will learn to use crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint, watercolors, and more as they expand their visual understanding and creative skills.
Cheerleading classes are great for young girls because they help with motor skills, coordination, and body awareness. Most cheerleading coaches will start girls at age 5. To give your daughter a good head start, begin with tumbling classes before transitioning to cheer.
Dance
Dance classes are great for girls as young as 2 years old. These classes combine music, play, and body movement. Most 2-year-old classes are “Mommy and Me”. At ages 3-5, girls can usually begin ballet and tap. Dance uses a child’s entire body and encourages flexibility and coordination.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is another activity that children can start around 2 years old. Like dance classes, these are often “Mommy and Me” classes. Gymnastics helps children with strength, balance, and motor control. Most beginning gymnastics classes focus on cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, hanging from a bar, and walking on a beam. Gymnastics also gives children practice with following directions and taking turns.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts are a great way for girls to become fit and healthy. Although martial arts can seem to be for boys, many girls thrive in different types of the sport. Martial arts builds focus and discipline, and can help with self-defense. Most martial arts classes will begin children at around 3 years old. It is recommended that most young children begin with jiu-jitsu or taekwondo.
Music
Beginning music classes can start as early as 1 year old. These early classes often include rhythm and movement, such as shaking a tambourine, clapping on beat, and singing. Most music schools will start to teach instruments to children beginning at around age 5. At this age, most children are ready to pay attention, and have physical strength to hold an instrument or finger strength to play an instrument.
Soccer
Soccer is a great beginning sport for girls because it promotes teamwork, sharing, coordination skills, and confidence. It is a great sport to help girls develop socially because it gives girls a reason to work together. Some preschool soccer leagues will start children at 3 years old, but most leagues will begin children at about 6 years old.
Swimming
Swim lessons are vital for young children because they can reduce a child’s risk of drowning and improves water safety skills. Swimming uses a child’s whole body, and therefore builds muscle and endurance. Swim classes can start as early as 3 months! At this age, parents are in the water with each child.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport that is too often overlooked for young girls. It is a great sport for children because they develop speed, coordination, flexibility, and the skill of quick decision making. This sport also teaches dedication because it requires practice. Most coaches will begin students with tennis classes at 5 or 6 years old.
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