For the second year in a row, my son is participating in the local T-Ball league. Next year it will be my daughter’s turn (the league starts at age 5). This is a baseball family.
Unlike the recreational soccer and gymnastics that the kids have done in years past, there’s something different to the T-Ball league. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s two nights a week, making it a bit more of a commitment. Or that it’s 2 hours long from start to finish. But there is a definite team feel that develops.
There’s something else that happens because of having an extracurricular outside of school as well. He develops a new circle of friends. He has responsibilities (balance of time – homework has to get done on non-baseball nights!) and his confidence is growing.
While he is liking school and has made many friends there, I like that he doesn’t have to rely on those at school for a source of friendship and fun. His play date requests now include those at school, those in our non-school circle of friends (mostly my play-date mom pals and their kids!) plus his baseball crew. As a bonus, baseball led us to find a few friends just a street over! Ones we didn’t really know because they go to different schools.
I really like that the kids are interested in activities outside of school, and even more so that they are developing larger circles of friends and new identities that aren’t tied to school only. He’s really getting a sense for who he is, and who he wants to be. I’m happy to encourage that.
Are your kids involved in non-school activities? Are you developing new relationships because of it?
