How to Find the Perfect Extracurricular Activity for Your Kids

Focus On Family

Sign Me Up! The Parent’s Complete Guide to Sports, Activities, Music Lessons, Dance Classes, and Other Extracurricular

By Stacy M. DeBroff

DeBroff talked to more than 500 parents, coaches, and instructors to produce this comprehensive guide to the dizzying array of activities, classes, and extracurricular programs available for children. She provides an overview of how we got to the point of having children's every waking hour scheduled for some kind of activity, and how to manage the demands on time. DeBroff offers advice, based on a child's age, temperament, and skill level, about how to select activities and what to expect in terms of physical development, team dynamics, sportsmanship, social skills, and a sense of competition. There are chapters on sports, arts and performing arts, intellectual and community activities, and foreign-language and chess programs. She includes details such as advantages and disadvantages, costs, and best age to start. DeBroff also wisely advises parents to include some downtime for unstructured play. Parents, teachers, and coaches will appreciate this comprehensive resource.

Recommended by Vanessa Bush from American Library Association’s Booklist.