Activities

Activities outside of school and academics play an important role in your child's development and growth.

Being exposed to activities is one of the first experiences your child has in life. Observing and witnessing activities eventually leads to trying them out with your help and then by your child him or herself.

I believe that being involved with sports, music, groups and clubs, travel experiences, summer camps and the like are valuable and memorable parts of your child's upbringing.

From baby and toddler playgroups to organized school sports teams, the broad spectrum of age appropriate possibilities are there for your child to choose from.

With advancing age there must be more individual choice given so that your child does not feel compelled to continue an activity if they have grown to dislike it or if their interest in it has waned over time.

I'd like you to refer back to the page on this site called "your child" and look again at the graphic located there.

One of the keys to health and wellbeing for your child is balance and an equal distribution of energy and resources spread out over these eight areas. This same striving for balance should be used by your child when it comes to their extra-curricular activities as well.

Ask your child how they feel doing the activites they are involved in right now.

If they are enjoying themselves and getting a lot out of this activity, then it makes sense to continue it.

If they are not so sure, or if they have something else they'd like to try, discuss what steps would be required to do so.

I believe the concept of flexibility and change is really important, as this will be required throughout your child's lifetime as they adjust and compensate for necessary changes and unforeseen circumstances as they come up.

Being able to shift into another area of interest while deciding to finish or stop another activity is great practice for what will come later in life for your child.

Your child's past experience participating on sports teams or groups or clubs will have an impact on how they perceive similar situations or opportunities in their future.

Your role here can be crucial in pointing out how your child has progressed and learned over time. In addition, it makes sense to encourage their own decision making ability so that they develop the confidence necessary when they are out on their own.

Remember the long arc of energy expenditure in any age group has to do with independence, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental.

As I have described before on other pages, historical settings can influence your child without either one of you knowing it. Be careful and cognizant of this possibility because it can be very easy to overlook.

Let's say it was always your wish to become a professional musician.

Because of what I have come to describe as age reciprocal resonance, it is quite likely from an energy perspective you will unknowingly transfer the energy related to this event to your child.

This is most likely to occur when they are the same age that you were when you wanted to become a musician.

If you can be aware of this and proactively discuss your historical experience with your child and make absolutely clear to them that they are free to decide for themselves what they want to do with their lives, this will effectively make the distinction for your child's energy system.