Trying a New Club or Class

Trying a New Club or Class

Whatever the age of your child, trying a new activity or sport encourages them to be more adventurous and learn new skills. Here are Families’ helpful tips for encouraging your child to try something new.

Target their Interests

A good starting point is to look at your child's current interests. Local sports centres, libraries and art centres are often teeming with opportunities to join classes and clubs, so don't be afraid to look outside the school environment for things to do.

For active kids, why not consider something more challenging, such as climbing, caving, or martial arts? While for the creatively inclined, investigate an art class, reading or book club or a school newspaper or blog. While it’s a little more difficult to assess the interests of pre-schoolers or toddlers, most enjoy sing and rhyme classes or activities that involve physical activity, like pre-school gymnastics or football.

Understand What's Stopping Them

Many children can be apprehensive about new experiences, but if your child is consistently shying away from trying new activities, sit down with them and try to find out why. It could be a fear of not making friends, being bullied, low self-confidence about their abilities, or being in an unfamiliar environment. Once you know the cause of their anxiety, you can help address it.

If your toddler is reluctant to join in a class, participate in the activity alongside them. It takes pre-schoolers time to get used to a new environment, but once they get used to it, they will join in with gusto.

Tap into the Demand Factor and Co-Ordinate with Others

If fitting in is important to your child, look for new or popular activities. Our directory can help you find potential classes and clubs that you may not know about.

Try talking to other parents and see what activities their children are involved in. You could even arrange for your children to participate in the activity together. Simply knowing that their friends are interested in a new club or class may mean your child will be keener to get involved. You could also introduce a reluctant child to a sibling’s activity, or for younger children nervous about being alone, you can attend the first session with them.

For pre-school and toddler classes, co-ordinating with other parents can feel more important than whether you feel your child will particularly enjoy an activity. Structured activities can keep your little one occupied and give you a welcome chance to make friends with other parents.

Highlight the Benefits

Focus on the positive things your child will gain by taking part in a particular sport or activity. These could be a new social circle, certificates, medals or stickers, job or education opportunities in the future, greater confidence, getting fitter, or simply being with friends.

REMEMBER it doesn’t matter what activity your child pursues, as long as they enjoy it.