Families spending thousands of dollars on extracurricular activities amid cost of living challenges

ABC NEWS (Australia)

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.

Transcript

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.

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