Looking for a new activity for 11y/o girl

[Disney Doll]

Martial arts comes to mind, volleyball comes to mind. She tried out for the school play and is in the chorus...that seems good to me, unless she thought she should have had a lead. In that case if her voice is "good" perhaps some voice lessons would make it better, and make her more competitive in terms of getting a lead part next time. I also think the community theater idea is a good one...perhaps she might shine in a more "professional" vs. school type production. Sometimes we acquire "labels" in school that are hard to break free from...you know, "Susie will be the lead in the play because she's been the lead for the last 2 years" even if Susie might not necessarily be the best choice to play this year's lead part. I saw it happen in my own middle and high school days.

I started volleyball in 7th grade...loved it and kept at it throughout high school. I am actually still pretty good at it, and always surprise people with my ability when we play at picnics etc., even now that I am a middle-aged chubby old lady!!!!!

I would also look into some non-physical pursuits. I can remember being on the yearbook committee in high school, and found that very enjoyable. There were some service clubs that I joined as well, also a lot of fun. I worked on the school plays as a backstage person, doing props, sets, costuming...I was very well-aware that I did not have enough talent to do "frontstage" work, but still wanted to participate.

I guess my point is don't pigeonhole her into more "girly" things like ballet, dance etc. Some less traditional things might be just the ticket for her.

 

[SC Minnie]

What about drama/theater. Is there a Childrens Theater group near you? Some even have summer camps for a week or so. With a camp she could try it and if she wasn't interested she wouldn't be committed for months.

 

[corie161]

Volleyball is another thing she mentioned and it seems it is something they are just starting at this age. She also talks about field hockey, another sport I know nothing about! I was never the "sporty" type and I am always glad to see her interested in any kind of sport, even if she is not an allstar athlete.

Thanks again for the advice and suggestions!

I was also going to mention Volleyball, height is a definate advantage in this sport too. I played in High School and currently on a women's league. She's at a young age still and will find her niche soon enough.

 

[lewdyan1]

My DD just started taking Baton Twirling lessons and loves it!!! I thought it was a great choice, since it will give her a place to join in high school. There she can either twirl or be on the flag corp. She is really enjoying it!

I also recommend tennis. This is one activity that will last a lifetime. I go on the court and play against 85 year old women. It is also great for socializing when you get to college and beyond.

 

[Rajah]

Aside from those already mentioned, something else she might look into as a hobby is embroidery. No, it's not physically active, but it does employ the artistic side.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well then...you just described my 12 y/o!!! She tried all those things also..ballet/tap-was so not good at it. Softball-didn't care for that. Soccer-tried that for 3 seasons, too much running around. Swim team-liked that a lot and was pretty good but way too much time committment. Basketball-ah, she is very tall, but has that whole uncoordinated thing going on. She is a decent player and getting better each game. Vollyball-tried it, just okay. Lacrosse-way too cliqueish. Theater-huge love...has been in many shows. Voice-terrific voice, has had solos, just like your dd. Flute/violin-well, we dropped the violin, bought a flute and she decided she hated it.
So......now she takes Irish Step classes and loves it. She tried HipHop but is just not flexible enough. She did take voice lessons last summer with her chorus teacher from 5th grade. Imagine her surprise when the teacher gave her 'homework'...'I mean, come on Mom, it's voice not violin or flute!!' She will take voice again but when she is ready to make a committment to practice. The thing to watch out for with voice is to get a teacher that is familier with these young voices. There is always the chance of 'overtraining' a young set of vocal cords. So you want to find someone who will focus on breathing, and note recognition rather that the fine art of 'belting out a song'!!!
The other think my dd just started is ice skating. She had tried it when she was about 8 or 9. But hasn't done it in several years now. She is doing quite well and enjoys it. Except for the fact that at 5'3" she is taller than some of the instructers and stands head and shoulders over the rest of her class. Maybe I should look into private classes!
She did try martial arts and that didn't appeal to her. Same thing with tennis. I think she is going to be more 'cerebral' in her pursuits, or so it would seem. Nothing wrong with that. It's just too bad that todays' society puts such importance on being, as my dd calls it, 'sporty'. Good luck in your search...let us know what she finds that she enjoys. Maybe it's something that my dd will enjoy!!!

 

[Katy Belle]

Competitive chess. Great for bright kiddos!
Katy

 

[minkydog]

I was thinking about your daughter not liking ballet. There is so much more to dance than ballet. My DD12 also took ballet when she was young and hated it. it hurt her knees. She tried again when she was 10--still not her thing. She decided she really like more modern dancing, so she tried jazz last year and that was great. But this year they have a Jamaican guy with dreds teaching hip-hop and DD was all over that. They don't do all the nasty music video stuff. It's good, clean dancing. She loves hip-hop! and I love it because it gets her moving.

Just so you know, I started ballet in 12th grade. I love ballet and I didn't care that I was older than everybody else. It gave me great pleasure. You don't have to be great at stuff to make it worthwhile

 

[frndofpooh]

Has she considered swimming or diving? It's true that many children begin these at younger ages but if you can join a team at a YMCA she might really enjoy it. It is great exercise, teaches a lifelong skill, and emphasizes doing your personal best. My son loves it and (truth be told) he has a long way to go in terms of strokes but he loves the way it makes him feel, both physically and mentally. It is focused on personal goals within a team setting (so the social aspect is still there) and he loves it. Good luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree with the swimming. My DD did a little swimming when she was younger, but joined the high school swim team, which she loved. Since most of the other kids had been swimming since they were little and were much better my DD wasn't too into the competitions, but she loved the whole social aspect of bring on the team.

 

[Steffi]

My 11 year old DD has tried practically everything, too: ballet, tap, jazz, art lessons, etc. She didn't like any of it! Last year she started ice skating and I think she's finally found her "thing"! She loves it and is getting pretty good at it. Another thing she's interested in trying is community theatre. Good luck finding the right activity for your DD!

 

[Princess Dot]

Wow! I never expected to get so many great responses! That's what I really like about this board.

I guess I should share what really brought this on. She plays on a rec league basketball team and she had just an awful game last night. She told me she was tired, but I have to say it was so upsetting to watch her get outplayed by girls that are in no way star athletes. She has good games too, but she is never one of the best players, but usually she is not the worst player. Last night was pretty bad.

Maybe because she is so tall for her age (5'3'' at age 11) that everyone thinks she should be this great BB player. At first she had no interest in playing but in the past 2 years she has really grown to enjoy it, which was my goal in encouraging her to play. I was not looking for her to go into the WNBA, but just for her to get some exercise and be able to play without looking foolish (like her mom! I am a complete sport spaz and have always avoided sports because I was too embarrased to even try). But it is clear that although I think she could be a pretty good player if she really worked at it, I don't think she is really the "sporty" type. And yes, girls are very type cast even at this age...although it seems to be very divided along the sporty types and the non-sporty types. Most of her friends are not into sports at all and she does not hang out with the sport crowd.

So I just started to think that I wish she could just find out what it is she really likes and happens to be good at.

She has taken skating and while she can skate around the rink fine, she has no interest in learning anything else. I suggested that since even me, the no-sporty mom, took skating lessons for years as a kid (until we learned jumps and then I gave it up!). But she is perfectly happy just being able to skate around without falling.

SHe has taken swimming, but she hates to dive! She is a strong swimmer once she is in the water, but a horrible diver. Again, I suggested a swim team since she swims very well, but she had no interest. She loves to swim and I have to drag her out of the pool in the summer, but she does not want to do that.

BTW, her chorus teacher just told me that she does not reccomend voice lessons until the voice has "matured", say at age 15 or 16. She thinks it is too much strain on a young voice. But she did say she should continue with chorus and try out for solos and that she thought my daughter should take voice lessons once she is older.

Horse riding is out, again no interest. She has a friend that fences, but she has no interest.

SHe is in girl scouts and that offers a lot of fun things that boost self esteem and she really enjoys that.

She wants to start knitting or crocheting, so her grandmother is teaching her.

So, thanks for all the ideas and for listening to my vent! I only want her to be happy!

 

[LindaR]

Princess Dot...........keep this in mind......there's a difference between things that one enjoys and things that one is good at, sometimes! If there is an activity that she has fun doing, then it doesn't matter if she sucks at it! As long as she is having fun, she should keep on.

 

[Rajah]

If she's interested in embroidery of any type but doesn't know where to go to learn it (ie: grandma doesn't know ), I suggest taking her to a local Embroidery Guild of America meeting. I'll *betcha* the ladies there would take her under their wing in a heartbeat.

Yes, I'm biased in favor of needle arts. LOL!

 

[Rajah]

Princess Dot...........keep this in mind......there's a difference between things that one enjoys and things that one is good at, sometimes! If there is an activity that she has fun doing, then it doesn't matter if she sucks at it! As long as she is having fun, she should keep on.

Well said, Linda!