August is full of firsts—first days of school, first practices, first classes, and first introductions. As exciting as this season can be, it also comes with uncertainty for both children and parents.
After welcoming families into performing arts programs for over 20 years, and as a parent of 3, I have learned that extracurricular activities teach more than just plies and sports plays: it’s where children discover their confidence, creativity, and community. Here are the five things I encourage every parent to remember during those first few weeks at a new activity, whether it’s in the performing arts, team sports, STEM activities, and everything in between.
(Submitted by Rachel Epps)
1.Give it more than one week.
The first class is just that—the first class. Children need time to become familiar with new teachers, new routines, and new friends before they can truly settle in. Confidence isn’t built in a day; it’s built through consistency.
2. Your confidence becomes your child’s confidence.
Children are constantly looking to us for cues. When you speak positively about the new activity and confidently hand them over to their teacher, you’re telling them, “This is a safe place, and I believe you can do this.” Your calm confidence gives them permission to trust the experience.
3. Let your child discover, “I’ve got this.”
It can be hard to watch your child struggle, especially during those first few classes. But moments of uncertainty are often where confidence begins. When parents allow the teacher to lead, children have the opportunity to process a new situation, build trust with another adult, and realize they are capable of working through something unfamiliar. Those experiences become the foundation for independence.
4. Let commitment be part of the lesson.
One of the greatest gifts extracurricular activities offer isn’t learning a skill—it’s learning commitment. Children discover that when we say we’ll do something, we show up, even when it’s hard or unfamiliar. Those lessons extend far beyond the classroom.
5. Focus on who your child is becoming.
Yes, they’ll learn new skills. But they’ll also learn resilience, responsibility, independence, and confidence. Those qualities develop slowly, often in ways that are easy to miss from week to week. Celebrate the small wins—a confident goodbye, trying something new, or simply walking into class with a smile. Those moments are building something much bigger.
(Submitted by Rachel Epps)
The first few weeks of a new activity aren’t about perfect performance—they’re about laying the foundation for growth. Give your child the gift of time, consistency, and your confidence, and you may be surprised by what unfolds over the course of the year.
After all, we’re not just helping children learn an art form—we’re helping them become who they’re meant to be.
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