Extracurricular activities for the introvert (homebody) and extrovert (social butterfly) child
T
hroughout the school year and especially in the fall, parents like to sign their child up for extracurricular activities. These enrichment activities mostly occur after school but can also happen on Saturdays and
Sundays. The motivation is primarily to expose children to new
people and a variety of activities. They don’t need a whole lot of down time, and even though their parents may need it, they don’t! You know what personality type your child is by how cranky they are after a flurry of activity (introverts) and/or after a long period of solitude (extroverts).
interests, or enhance current ones, or to provide childcare for parents who work outside the home. However, these activities
Parents must realize that nothing they can do can change
are wonderful for children who are extroverted, but could be
the child they have. They must work with the child to find a
problematic for children who are introverts.
fit suitable to child, and home lifestyle. Personality traits are inborn characteristics related to brain development and forcing
Introversion and extroversion are defined by how people renew their energy. Introverted children like lots of time by themselves to engage in quiet solitude type of activities. They
the child to change is not going to work and may damage the important parent-child relationship.
are not shy children. They can handle social situations and
Parents must also consider their personality and whether they
people activities, but it can take a lot of energy out of them.
are introverts or extroverts. This affects how they meet their
They need quiet times in between to recharge. When they are
children’s needs. Introverted parents with introverted children
full of solitude, they feel more refreshed to go out and be with
are both very happy to have lots of solitude, and extroverted
people. Extroverted children gain their energy by being around
parents and extroverted children are very happy to have one
14 Alberta School Counsellor / Fall 2022
