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 look 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
00:13homework and three lots of sports training and games.
00:20Every day by Thursday you'll find all the Gleesons at a basketball court.
00:27Like many families, they're spending thousands of dollars on extracurricular activities each
00:32year, grappling with big decisions about what to prioritise.
00:37At first it was swimming lessons and there was an instrument and there was tennis and
00:44there was basketball and now we've sort of tried to streamline a bit.
00:50Experts say extracurricular activities can have many benefits.
00:54Better wellbeing outcomes, better relationships with parents, peers and teachers as well as
01:00better academic performance.
01:02And choosing which activities to prioritise should be led by kids.
01:07Somewhere in the vicinity of one type of sporting activity and one type of cultural, music,
01:12academic type activity as well in order to make sure that a full breadth of skills and
01:18social opportunities are being provided.
01:20But being flexible and willing to take a break is key.
01:24Setting a bit of a commitment or almost a contract with them, let's give this a go for a term.
01:30If we're not enjoying it then we re-evaluate and we can try something else.
01:34For kids like Ashley Clifford, a rich extracurricular schedule has been crucial.
01:40The 10-year-old has a rare genetic syndrome and takes part in cycling, swimming, basketball
01:46and team sport classes.
01:49If we hadn't have enrolled her into all of these sports and programs there is no way
01:53developmentally she would be where she is today.
01:56Finding providers that can cater to her needs hasn't been easy or cheap.
02:02We prioritise that over going out to restaurants for lunch and dinner.
02:05We prioritise that over going to the movies.
02:08We prioritise that over holidays and flight costs and accommodation.
02:14All states and territories, with the exception of the ACT, offer vouchers to help cover the
02:19cost of kids' sport.
02:21Most don't subsidise creative and cultural activities.
02:26Experts say the money only goes so far and more must be done to address barriers to participation,
02:32including in regional and remote areas.
02:35Young people in disadvantaged contexts can be up to 30% less likely to engage in these
02:41sorts of activities.
02:43Families who are able to make it work are being reminded to focus on the fun.