© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Robin Pizzo, WKAR director of education, responds to frequently asked questions from parents and educators

Q: What if a child wants to quit an extracurricular activity?

Child Playing Violin
Image courtesy of Microsoft

A: If a child wants to stop an activity help them evaluate and articulate why.

Then offer a stop date at the end of the semester or season to ward off simple jitters from being a part of something new.

Quitting can be contagious and may not allow a child to grow in their understanding about themselves or problem solve if there is an issue. We’ve all experienced the thrill of joining in some shiny new activity. There is a whole industry created to keep the thrill alive, from glow-in-the-dark 5K runs to knitting circle meet-ups. And like adults, children are just beginning to understand what interests them and will hold their fascination long term. Therefore, stopping an activity to explore something new is acceptable. Even I’m a knitter quitter.

Here are a few suggestions to keep children engaged in trying something new to continue the exploration.

  • Be open to the idea of stopping. It takes a lifetime to have a life and interests are a first step in the process.  
  • After evaluating why the child wants to quit, create a list of other activities they may want to explore. 
  • Set clear expectations for time commitments before they begin, to decrease fee loss.  
  • Regularly check in on what they like and don’t like, to manage emotions.  
  • Lower your expectations. Most children aren’t headed to the symphony or NFL. Allow the activity to be simply a hobby. 

Happy Learning,
Mrs. Pizzo

Robin Pizzo leads the education outreach efforts of WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University, the PBS and NPR affiliate serving Michigan's capital region. Robin convenes partnerships and coordinates station initiatives such as WKAR Family and Ready to Learn to bring workshops, learning tools, and other resources into the community to help kids be resilient, lifelong learners.
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!