Following the school curriculum helps children learn about academic subjects. But if you want to give them a wider experience of life, then you need to explore extracurricular activities as well.
We all know extracurricular activities when we see them. Mountaineering, cooking, camping, and playing the harp all fall under the umbrella. But why, exactly, are these activities so critical? Let’s take a look.
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It Gives Kids A Chance To Socialize Outside Of The Classroom
When kids spend all their time with peers their own age, it can be potentially harmful. It’s common practice to group particular ages together in formal educational settings but, in general, it’s not a good idea. That’s because children don’t get to experience the full spectrum of relationships.
It’s different, though, when kids are outside of the classroom. In these contexts, they rub shoulders with people of all ages, gaining wider life experience.
Allowing kids to socialize outside of school also provides other benefits. School relationships become less paramount in their lives. They know if things don’t quite work out in the classroom, they can always fall back on their other friends elsewhere. Having a wider circle of friends gives kids more confidence and helps them feel more relaxed about their daily lives.
It Lets Them Develop Their Passions
Extracurricular activities also help kids develop their passions. While they might have an interest in school subjects, exposing them to a wider variety of activities can be a great way to get them to engage more fully in the world.
Extracurricular activities examples include sport, music, and intellectual pursuits. The more kids are able to direct their own activities, the more passionate they generally feel about what they are doing. Eventually, many children internalize their desire to pursue certain activities.
It Gives Kids A Routine
Giving kids a routine is more important than many parents realize. It gives children a sense of control, security, and stability. For many children, it reduces their anxiety levels because they know what is going to happen next.
Nobody is saying that kids should always live by a schedule. There should be times in the week when they don’t have anything to do. However, having a bit of structure gives their lives focus and lets them develop skills they wouldn’t usually obtain.
When you make extracurricular activities routine, it makes it easier to get kids to stick to a schedule. A bit like getting them to brush their teeth, the more repetition you have, the more likely they are to do it.
It Gives Kids A Break From Studies
While academic subjects seem important to many parents, they aren’t everything childhood should be about. Fundamentally, academics don’t lead to success. What really matters is the character and experience of the person studying them. Very few people in the adult world can point to their grade 9 geography classes and say that they were the reason for their success.
Taking a break from studies actually helps kids concentrate better once they get back to their desks. Physical movement or just a change in scenery is good for helping the brain to focus more on learning new knowledge. Variety inspires children and lets them avoid the feeling that every day is pointless drudgery.
It Gives Kids Skills They Need To Be Successful
Why aren’t highly academic people more successful? It’s not for a lack of intelligence. In many cases, it is simply the fact that they haven’t had a chance to develop important life skills.
Extracurricular activities can help correct this. As stated above, they let children explore more of the world than they can access in the classroom. Things they do outside of school can teach them leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that they would find hard to develop in a formal educational setting.
It Helps To Make Them Well-Rounded
If parents and teachers aren’t careful, there is a risk that children can develop asymmetrically. They may be incredibly good at math, but their social skills may be lacking.
Ideally, as a parent, you want your child to develop in all areas of their life so that they can become successful human beings in their adult life. They might be happy right now, but if they have significant deficits in certain areas, it is unlikely that that will last.
Extracurricular activities can address the problem of uneven development. When children do more things outside of school, they develop themselves in all the areas they were weak before. Over time, they change, preparing themselves for the next step in their development.
It Motivates Them To Exercise
Convincing kids that they should go on runs every couple of days is a challenge. Adults might force themselves to do it, but kids won’t. However, getting them involved in a sports club provides them with more motivation. When they can compete against other kids or learn something new, they are much more likely to enjoy themselves.
When it comes to sporting activities, you’re spoiled for choice. Kids can indulge in individual sports, team sports, dance, martial arts, or activities focused on exploring the outdoors. Depending on where you live, you might even be able to get them involved in watersports.
Getting kids to exercise provides all kinds of health benefits. It reduces the likelihood of depression, helps to control high blood pressure, improves bone density, and avoids metabolic syndrome.
It Gives Them A Sense Of Belonging
Lastly, extracurricular activities help to instill a sense of belonging in kids, giving them the social skills they need to thrive in the adult world. Feeling like they are part of a group helps them to become happier and healthier in their lives.
Being part of a group is particularly important during the period children transition into adolescence. Having extra support and learning more about others’ worldviews helps them become more rounded adults. Parents should focus on children around the age of 13 since these are most likely to benefit from activities outside of the school context.
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