By Cherie Gough

The way children spend their extracurricular time is important. Involving kids in the arts and sports offers a much-needed release, social connection, and critical developmental tools. Read on to hear from experts about how the arts and sports help shape kids’ brains.

Art has a calming effect. “Art immerses you in the moment,” says Alyssa Navapanich, California Outstanding Elementary Art Educator of the Year and Lemon Grove AMP (Art, Music, PE) teacher. Navapanich teaches that there are no mistakes in art. She encourages focus on process over product, which takes the pressure off creating perfection.

“I like to build a sense of resiliency into my students,” says Navapanich. “When they feel like they make a ‘mistake’, I encourage them to refocus, see their creation differently and recreate their idea. The picture book Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg is a great tool for teaching this concept.”

Children’s Physicians Medical Group (CPMG) Pediatrician Dr. Rachel Gianfortune agrees, “Being able to express yourself through any type of art helps kids process emotions and exercises the brain’s muscles in new ways.”

Art connects people. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the emotional well-being of members of the same family is closely related — and parental calm is essential to children in times of crisis. Creating art together is a great way to connect.

Physical activity improves mental health. Many studies have proven that daily physical activity improves mental health by increasing serotonin, one of the brain’s happy chemicals. “Giving kids a break from academics and time away from social media improves mood and helps manage stress,” says Dr. Gianfortune.

Physical activity also helps kids gain more confidence and work through emotions, as it stimulates the brain in different ways.

Beyond team sports:

• Kicking a soccer ball 

• Hiking and walking 

• Gymnastics

• Dance lessons

• Riding bikes and scooters

• Golf

• Tennis

• Throwing a baseball or softball

• Batting practice

• Scavenger hunts

Music develops young minds. Music is another noteworthy extracurricular activity for kids.

“Music is a powerful learning tool that stimulates brain patterns and memories,” says CPMG Pediatrician Dr. Gina Rosenfeld. If kids are too little for instrumental lessons, Rosenfeld encourages singing to young children to help wire the brain.

Enhancing academic success. Creating art and engaging in artistic projects exercises many areas of the brain, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial relationships.

“Children who are involved in and exposed to the arts tend to be more creative, expressive, and are often more sure of themselves,” says Dr. Gianfortune. “Those characteristics lend themselves to improved academics and better mental health.”

Kids who participate in sports teams develop grit, which can translate into working harder at academics and improved leadership skills, according to Dr. Gianfortune.

Ideas for creating art:

• Hot Spot Pottery offers classes and private art “parties.”

• Paint along with Bob Ross, a popular art instructor on YouTube.

• Write and illustrate a comic book with a friend.

• Write a story and read aloud in a video to share with friends.

Musical arts:

• Take lessons — voice, choir, instruments.

• Create rhythms with items at home. You can make simple versions of maracas, rainsticks, and drums. Find inspiration on Pinterest.

• Listen to podcasts such as Classics for Kids. 

Cherie Gough is a writer and mom of two who loves to celebrate life’s little moments. Find her on IG @cgoughwrites.