Extra-curricular activities provide big benefits for kids but can be a source of anguish for stretched families. Amid cost-of-living challenges, and competing demands, we take a took at how to manage the juggle.
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00:00After school hours are a scramble in the Gleeson household, trying to find the sweet spot between
00:09homework and three lots of sports training and games.
00:13Like many families, they're spending thousands of dollars on extracurricular activities each
00:18year.
00:19At first it was swimming lessons and there was an instrument and there was tennis and
00:26there was basketball and now we've sort of tried to streamline a bit.
00:30Experts say extracurricular activities can have many benefits.
00:35Better wellbeing outcomes, better relationships with parents, peers and teachers, as well
00:40as better academic performance.
00:43And choosing which activities to prioritise should be led by kids.
00:47Setting a bit of a commitment or a contract with them, let's give this a go for a term.
00:52If we're not enjoying it then we re-evaluate it and we can try something else.
00:56For kids like Ashley Clifford, a rich extracurricular schedule has been crucial.
01:02The 10-year-old has a rare genetic syndrome and takes part in cycling, swimming, basketball
01:08and team sport classes.
01:10We prioritise that over going out to restaurants for lunch and dinner.
01:13We prioritise that over going to the movies.
01:16We prioritise that over holidays and flight costs and accommodation.
01:22All states and territories, with the exception of the ACT, offer vouchers to help cover the
01:27cost of kids' sport.
01:29Most don't subsidise creative and cultural activities.
01:34Experts say the money only goes so far and more must be done to address barriers to participation,
01:40including in regional and remote areas.
01:43Young people in disadvantaged contexts can be up to 30% less likely to engage in these
01:49sorts of activities.
01:51And families who are able to make it work are being reminded to focus on the fun.