Engaging extracurricular activities for children, from sports and arts to hobbies and creative pursuits, designed to build confidence, skills, teamwork and creativity.
A review of Norwegian youth football participation reveals a broad base in childhood that sharply narrows by teenage years, raising questions about the sport’s approach to fostering lifelong involvement and top talent. Norway’s youth football pipeline is broad at the…
A new £22.5 million funding initiative aims to broaden access to enrichment activities in secondary schools serving disadvantaged communities, fostering skills, confidence, and connection among pupils. The government is putting £22.5 million into a programme designed to widen access to…
A new study reveals that teenagers who perceive their PE teachers as supportive of their choices are more likely to enjoy physical activity and intend to remain active post-school, highlighting the importance of empowering students in PE lessons. A new…
A new report highlights the ‘bedroom generation’ in England, emphasising that meaningful, accessible offline activities, tailored to young people’s interests, are key to reconnecting teenagers with real-world experiences and reducing their reliance on screens. Teenagers who retreat to their bedrooms…
A new study reveals that inland wave pools offer mental health benefits similar to traditional coastal surf therapy, expanding access for young people across Britain. A new evaluation of surf therapy programmes in Britain suggests that young people can benefit…
A new survey reveals nearly half of parents have postponed or skipped enrolling children in sports due to rising costs, prompting calls for smarter budget strategies and awareness of hidden expenses in youth athletics. Youth sports are becoming a budget…
Experts highlight the importance of selecting suitable extracurricular activities for children, emphasising their role in social, emotional, and practical growth while warning against overcommitment. Extra-curricular activities can do far more than fill time after school. According to Diario de Sevilla,…
Deja Martyr’s journey from a quiet child navigating family upheaval to managing citywide youth programmes highlights the vital role of well-funded, inclusive after-school initiatives in fostering resilience and social skills among young people, especially amid pandemic challenges. Deja Martyr says…
A new ADEPS assessment of Belgian French-speaking teenagers reveals stable body mass index over three decades but highlights concerning declines in grip strength and disparities in movement habits, prompting calls for targeted interventions to improve adolescent health and fitness. Belgian…
A new study highlights how disparities in varsity sports access among American teenagers perpetuate social divides, revealing the potential of sport to foster belonging and community within schools. Sports are often treated as nothing more than entertainment, but they also…
Research from the University of the Basque Country highlights the grey areas in coach-athlete interactions that can foster grooming and abuse, emphasising the need for education and safeguarding measures to protect young athletes. A study from the University of the…
Psychologist Sarah Schäfer highlights the growing prevalence of burnout symptoms among school-age children, emphasising early recognition and supportive interventions to prevent long-term harm. Burnout is usually discussed as a work-related problem, but Sarah Schäfer says similar patterns are increasingly visible…
