Parent to Parent: Extracurricular

WSVN -- This summer eight-year-old Aurora Cox is putting her fingers to good use and taking up the flute, and mom Antonia is her biggest fan.

Antonia Cox: "Well she started out with the recorder, and as of today she has started crossing over from the recorder to the flute."

Aurora is learning to play through classes at the Sobe Music Institute. But once Aurora got involved in the classes, mom quickly changed her tune.

Antonia Cox: "It's really about her having something that she can focus on her own, that she really is enjoying."

Seven's parenting expert Dr. Valerie Goode says, whether school is in session or out, getting your kids involved in extracurriculars can help them tap in to their own unique talents.

Dr. Valerie: "Let's say your child really isn't into some of the academics, well they can shine in other places."

To help your child figure out what he or she is good at, give them a lot of options.

Dr. Valerie: "You may want to give your child a choice of extra curricular activities. Do you want to do music, Art, Football? It' doesn't have to be a sport."

But it's not all fun and games, once they've chosen an activity to try, come up with rules and make sure they stick to them.

Dr. Valerie: "Have some rules that they have to stick with it through the semester, or through the time that the class goes."

And keep the activities well rounded. Give your kids the option of trying something new when one activity wraps up."

Dr. Valerie: "They're going to try out all kinds of things to see if they like it, and maybe they'll really be into it for a while and want to let go of it and try something else."

No matter what activity they do choose, Dr. Valerie says the pay off is big, for child and parent.

Dr. Valerie: "When they get to something they want to stick with, they will and you're going to see that the child truly enjoy what they are doing."

And while Aurora is practicing her way to flute perfection.

Aurora Cox: "I want to learn how to do the different notes on the flute."

Her mom is singing the praises of a summer program that's doing a lot more than teaching the notes on a page.

Antonia Cox: "That's such a gift that she's now able to do something with other kids that are her own age, that's so positive."

Dr. Valerie also says that there are ways to help kids be creative without the structure of a program. If you're crunched for time, set out some crayons or paint on the kitchen table and let your child go at it freely.

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