page-77.html
0817 AUGUST
78 / 96
building
confidence
after school stay active: learning a sport, game, musical instrument, drama, or other skill is its own reward. but participating
in after-school activities can provide many additional benefits to kids
, too. ?rough many years of coaching experience, jimbo gravois, co-owner of louisiana athletics, has observed several ways that participating in after- school activities benefits children. socialization participating in an after-school activity can be a great way for kids to make friends and to learn social skills. provided that the child is participating in an activity they enjoy, it will offer an opportunity for them to meet other children who share a common interest. ?i?ve seen kids come in who have no friends,? says gravois. ?but after a year of participating in a team sport, they?re talking about being family.? building confidence children of all ages can build confidence by trying something new, setting goals, and conquering new skills. ??eir confidence tends to grow as they grow in what they?re asked to do,? says gravois. he points out that this increased confidence is closely tied to the socialization that after-school activities provide. ??ey tend to make more friends if they have more confidence, and the more friends they have, the more confidence they gain,? he says. creating healthy habits louisiana athletics offers tumbling and cheerleading as after-school team sports. by participating in physical activities such as these, children build healthy habits and become more physically fit, which improves their health. ?when kids come in, they learn the value of health, why healthy eating is important, as well as what it?s like to work out and to love the workout process,? says gravois. ?so when they go back to school, compared to other kids, they?re leaner and healthier.? expanding comfort zones learning new skills also helps children expand their comfort zones. for instance, participating in musical theatre encourages them to perform on a stage, something many are afraid of doing. ?when we see kids come in for the first time to participate in something, they will be very shy or timid,? gravois says. ?but as they try new things and by rebecca connor 2016-17 cover kid myles d. 7 8 b r p a r e n t s . c o m | a u g u s t 2 0 1 7 7 8 b r p a r e n t s . c o m | a u g u s t 2 0 1 7
gravois-kids-get-79.html