Meta Description: Extracurricular activities are important in students’ overall development. Students should be encouraged to follow hobbies and sports other than academics.
Introduction
Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in every student’s life. These activities are not part of the regular school curriculum but are as important as academics for a child's growth. Studies provide theoretical experience; extracurricular activities provide more mental and physical development. They can also help in determining students' careers and passions.
Activities like sports, art, craft, theatre or volunteering create an opportunity to make friends outside the classroom. It teaches to create a balance between studies and social life. Extracurricular activities teach teamwork to achieve shared goals, build leadership qualities, and make students self-confident. Taking part in outdoor sports helps students increase their concentration power. Let us see how extracurricular activities benefit one’s future.
Importance of Extracurricular Activities
Broader Perspectives and Opens Gateway of Opportunities
Extracurricular activities help students develop important personality traits. Developing hobbies and finding your interests present students with a range of career opportunities. Earlier, success was determined by how students performed in academics, but that has changed for good. Today, a good performance in extracurricular activities is also counted.
Practical Knowledge
Students get a more practical approach to life outside their classrooms. Those taking up art and craft get a brush with creativity. Students get familiar with certain important qualities like leadership and teamwork.
Improves Academics Performance
Skills picked up in extracurricular activities can be used during academics as well. As per a study conducted by Texas A&M Today, researchers believe that participation in extracurricular activities has a positive outcome in subjects like maths, comprehension, and reading.
Management Skills
Students learn time management as they balance their time between studies and hobbies. It is an important skill that goes a long way as we grow up to take on more responsibilities.
Social Life
Participating in extracurricular activities and attending extra classes increases a students’ social sphere. The more they engage with other children, they develop a quality of camaraderie. Meeting new people, and building new friendships, are some lessons that books cannot teach.
Break From Academics
Let's face it. Children get bored from studying. Pressuring students into getting good grades can stray them further from their studies. Instead, encourage students to take up extracurricular activities to break from their academics. Students can choose extracurricular activities based on their interest and their related skill.
Reduce Screen time
Many students prefer playing games on their phones or watching videos online these days. Extracurricular activities are a great way to reduce screen time productively.
How To Choose An Extracurricular Activity That Best Suits Your Interest?
Students may not know what interests them but can identify it when given a wide range of options. Figure out what interests you with some brainstorming and listing down the ideas.
Make a list of all the other things/activities you’d like to do – swimming, drawing, sports, what kind of sports. Conduct research about your interests and whether there are related institutes/coaching classes in the vicinity. Would you be interested in going a longer route to take that art class? Parents can make a child understand the pros and cons of picking up on a specific hobby.
Conclusion
We cannot underestimate the role of extracurricular activities in a student's development. From being part of a multicultural environment, facing certain challenges, and getting over their creative blocks, extracurricular activities can teach so much. Remember, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most common extracurricular activities?
There are a number of extracurricular activities that students can opt for depending upon their interests. Sports, cultural activities, art and craft, theatre, dance, and volunteering are the most common and popular ones.
- Which activities help in stimulating brain development?
Activities like chess and Olympiads (Science or Maths) help in the development of the brain. These activities improve a child's memory and make them smarter.
- What is the right age to enrol in extracurricular activities?
A lot of parents begin extracurricular activities from kindergarten age. However, it is not the right approach. Kids should not be exposed to undue pressure at the start. It can make them feel tired. Children should take part in extracurricular activities post the third grade.
- Which extracurricular activities help in increasing physical fitness?
Outdoor activities like sports – cricket, athletics, hockey, basketball, badminton – and dance help channel the physical fitness of students.
- Do extracurricular activities help in the future?
While grades are important, having additional interests does benefit when looking at applying for higher studies or internships. Students with qualities such as team bonding, leadership, public speaking, or any other talent do have the advantage of being preferred over others.
