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Is your child the next Picasso? Cover Kid, Preston, loves painting! "I feel the arts are a great way for kids to express themselves and have fun," says Preston's mother, May. "Preston's paintings also make for great refridgerator decorations." Photo provided by Kit DeFever Think about what your child enjoys doing When selecting after school activities, begin by thinking about what your child chooses to do in his or her down time. Every child has natural abilities. Smith tells parents to observe their child to discover what they are good at and help them further their interests in that direction. Help your child follow her passion Questions to ask before enrolling your child in an enrichment program BY: DAWN MARIE BARHYTE T here are good reasons to enroll your child in after school activities, according to Ellen Smith, a licensed clinical social worker and certified health coach in Poughkeepsie. It's a great opportunity for them to develop hobbies, learn new skills, and socialize. It also provides 10 Hudson Valley Parent August 2013 supervision to kids who might otherwise go to an empty home. Research shows that after school programs can boost academic performance and test scores. However, Smith says a key factor to extracurricular success is that kids enjoy the particular activity. Once you have an idea of the possibilities, make a list of activities your child has expressed an interest in. Next, make a list of activities your child is currently involved in. Weigh the pros and cons of each new enrichment program as a family. Explain the time commitment involved for both you and your child. If they chose an activity that involves purchasing equipment, discuss whether they will be partially responsible. While parents should have the final say, children are more likely to practice and actively participate in an activity they helped select. Nurture natural talents If your child demonstrates a gift, it is wonderful to nurture that talent through lessons. But pushing your child into a full load of after school classes in order to give her a head start in one area may backfire, says Smith. One solution is to break your child's schedule up with something different. For the budding artist, that might mean a martial arts class one day a week rather than art