8 Broadcaster Press August 6, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Extracurricular Activities for Non-athletes Sports are a popular activity for adults and children alike. While adults may not have the time to hit the hardwoods or toss the ball around as much as they used to, sports continue to be as popular as ever among young people. According to the State of Play: 2018 report from The Aspen Institute, 69 percent of children between the ages of six and 12 participated in a team or individual sport at least once in 2017. As popular as sports are, some students are not inclined to lace up a pair of cleats or compete with their peers on the athletic playing fields. In fact, the State of Play: 2018 report found that just 37 percent of kids between the ages of six and 12 participated in a team sport on a regular basis in 2017. Lack of interest in sports is nothing for parents to worry about, though it is important that parents encourage their kids to participate in extracurricular activities, which can pay a host of dividends. Why participate in extracurricular activities? Extracurricular activities do more than just provide something for kids to do once they’re dismissed from school. Certain activities may help kids perform better academically. In analyzing data on more than 25,000 second school students, the United States Department of Education found that those who reported consistent involvement in instrumental music during middle school and high school performed significantly better in mathematics by grade 12 than kids who did not participate in music programs. Participation in extracurricular activities as a youngster also may pay dividends well into the future. A 2017 study from researchers at Rutgers University found that people who were involved in extracurricular activities in high school were likely to stay involved in their communities throughout their lives. Extracurricular activities for non-athletes Sports might be a popular extracurricular activity, but there are still plenty of additional activities for kids who have no interest in sports. • Music: School bands or community music programs provide opportunities for kids to learn an instrument and connect with fellow music lovers. • Volunteering: Many organizations welcome teenager volunteers, recognizing that kids who volunteer as teens are more likely to continue doing so as adults, which can help charities and other organizations meet their missions. Volunteering even allows kids to further indulge an existing passion. For example, kids who love the beach can volunteer with a local environmental organization that works to clean up local beaches and waterways. • Writing: Youngsters with an interest in writing can participate in local creative writing groups. Such groups can be great places to brainstorm story ideas and learn about the creative writing process. Participating in extracurricular activities can enrich young peoples’ lives and lay the foundation for a rich, fulfilling life. Manage Hectic School Mornings If a typical school morning sees your family rushing around and out the door with nary a moment to spare, only to be left feeling like you ran a marathon by 9 am, a new approach to your routine might be necessary. Mornings, especially in households in which parents who work outside of the home and have one or two kids requiring drop-off at their respective schools, can often be hectic. Starting off the morning feeling harried and stressed can carry over into the mood of the day, affecting productivity as a result. According to Dr. David Anderson, PhD, senior director of the ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute, busy mornings can be the most stressful moments of the day. Homework hour and getting prepared for bed are other typically stressful times of the day for families. If less stressful mornings are a goal for your family, try these strategies. Start the night before Doing as much preparatory work the evening before can make quite a difference in taming hectic mornings. Things that can be done in advance include checking and stocking backpacks, signing paperwork, making lunches, setting out clothing, showering, and having breakfast foods ready to go. Establish a “launch pad” Ann Dolin, a Virginia-based education specialist, suggests having a launch pad, or a place where all school-related items are prepped and stored. It can be a basket, box or another container big enough to contain school items. Children can drop and pick up the items as needed. Make the routine the boss Positive Parenting Solutions founder Amy McCready says families can implement a “when-then” routine that sets the tone for the morning. “When everyone is dressed, hair combed, breakfast eaten, and school supplies packed, then you can watch 10 minutes of an educational cartoon.” This puts the routine in control rather than making the parents the bad guys. Make kids responsible Too often parents add more stress to their plates by showing up at school with forgotten lunch boxes or band instruments. Instead, parents can stop rescuing their children and help train them to be more responsible an essential trait. Chart wake-up times It may seem like micromanaging, but scheduling wake-up and bathroom times can help everyone know where they should be and when they should be there. It also helps avoid bottleneck situations in the bathroom or kitchen. Keep morning madness to a minimum with some simple strategies. Metro Creative Connection Metro Creative Connection Head Back To School With A Healthy Smile! Make Sure to Schedule Your Child’s Dental Check Up Before School Starts Wake up with Corner of W. Cherry & Stanford 605-624-8050 Convenience At Your Back Door - 24/7 • Hot Coffee • Hot Chocolate • Lattes • Juice • Pop • Energy Drinks • Pizza • Sandwiches • Hot Dogs • Donuts • All Your Favorite Snacks Dental cleanings and exams are important for kids’ smiles, especially before starting a new school year! 605-624-6291 Dr. Matthew Knutson • Dr. Richard Knutson • Dr. Brandon Jensen www.KnutsonFamilyDentistry.com Vermillion A+ 525 W. Cherry St. 605-624-5574 Your 24 Hour Grocery Store