Engaging extracurricular activities for children, from sports and arts to hobbies and creative pursuits, designed to build confidence, skills, teamwork and creativity.
As the 13U season concludes, coaches emphasise teaching young players how to handle frustration and develop mental resilience, using deliberate practice amid increasing automation in umpire calls. As the 13U season winds down, the focus is shifting from equipment bags…
Parents seeking effective ways to limit screen time can turn to easy, creative activities that promote curiosity and outdoor exploration, from DIY crafts to family-friendly dining adventures. Parents looking for ways to make summer feel less screen-heavy may not need…
A study by the University of Georgia reveals that children who choose to play alone can still have healthy social lives, challenging assumptions about solitude and loneliness in childhood. A child who prefers to play alone is not necessarily lonely…
Research indicates that children as young as nine possess nascent neural networks for improvisation, challenging assumptions that creative skills only develop with age and training. Findings suggest arts engagement supports brain health and wellbeing from an early age. Research into…
As back-to-school promotions intensify earlier each year, experts warn they reinforce childhood anxieties and exploit children’s perceptions of time, calling for a more sensitive approach to seasonal marketing. Every August, children are told in a thousand small ways that summer…
Research links artistic activities with stress reduction and cognitive protection, emphasising the importance of incorporating creative expression into everyday life, especially for those facing emotional challenges. Creative time can be hard to protect in adult life, but research suggests it…
As youth athletics become more intense and costly, parents are reassessing the role of sport in childhood development, prioritising fun, resilience, and emotional growth over competition and trophies. Sports can still be one of childhood’s best teachers, but parents are…
Research underscores the importance of nurturing curiosity and creativity in children aged three to five, highlighting practical strategies for parents and educators to support lifelong learning and problem-solving skills through unstructured play, open-ended activities, and positive reinforcement. In the early…
Experts highlight the importance of gradual, supervised introduction to running for children, emphasising fun and health over competition and speed, as families celebrate Children’s Day. With Children’s Day falling on Sunday, August 16, the occasion can be more than a…
Experts caution against tying routine household tasks to money, emphasising the importance of shared responsibility and practical skills for children’s development, while suggesting a balanced approach to rewards. Giving a child pocket money for tidying a room can seem like…
Simple, accessible drawing techniques may help regulate nervous system and reduce stress, supported by emerging research and expert insights into the calming effects of art on mental health. Ten minutes with a pencil and paper may be enough to help…
Recent research uncovers how repetitive footwork and biomechanics in table tennis can lead to acute and chronic injuries, prompting calls for improved training and injury prevention strategies. Table tennis may look light on the body, but research suggests the sport…
