First thing’s first: you’ve probably heard of the proverb, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. This has been ingrained into our minds since we were in first grade – and it’s still applicable. We’re not implying that life should be full of leisure and fun, but it’s better if study and play remain – as Thanos puts it – “perfectly balanced, as all things should be.”
Considering this, parents are encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities in school. Along with being academically oriented, such activities also go beyond the confines of the usual academic curriculum. When we say extracurricular activities in school, it goes beyond teaching our students to do some jumping jacks or hitting a ball with a bat. Such extracurricular activities in school include fostering a child’s talents, whether it be singing, dancing, art and craft, athletics, drama, photography, among others.
It’s a known fact that children spend most of their time in school. So, it’s important that they learn while having fun by engaging them in extracurricular activities in school. Here are some of the benefits of doing so:
+100 grade points
When it comes to academic performance, it all boils down to brain power. Sure, drinking your milk and munching on those almonds can improve your memory. However, reports have shown that the skills you gain while engaging in extracurricular activities in school – like focus and improvisation – can help to improve your academics. In fact, research has also shown that participating in extracurricular activities in school yields, a better academic performance.
Let’s take an example. How do you feel when you have a big futsal match coming up? Pressurized, stressed and anxious. To overcome this, you train harder, practice, become disciplined and more efficient with time. This teaches you self-discipline, which helps to minimize procrastination. This skill is transferred from the extracurricular activities in school you learn to your academics. So, the next time your mind is tempted to postpone an essay, you’ll learn to do it now.
Physical and mental wellbeing
“A sound mind in a sound body” – what more do we have to say? Extracurricular activities in school like sports can help with muscle development, coordination, and ward off chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, depression, to name a few. It’s important to note that you invest your time in extracurricular activities in school that genuinely hold your interest, rather than ‘paint for the sake of painting’, or ‘play for the sake of playing’.
Students today are dealing with mental health problems more than they were a few decades back. This has been attributed to the notion of ‘all work and no play’ – which is why engaging them in extracurricular activities in school can be a great stress-buster.
Confidence is key
Do you remember the first art class that you took? You probably started with the basics: lines, curves, shapes and primary colors. Think about how far you’ve come now. You can draw objects, mix colors to make a variety of different colors, and paint sceneries. Each time you mastered a skill or level in a fun and relaxed setting, you become more confident in your abilities. That’s one of the best things about extracurricular activities in school – you don’t have to worry about getting a good grade.
Not all students are academically gifted – it’s a pill that’s hard to swallow. However, performing well or exploring your interests in extracurricular activities in school can give you a new sense of purpose. The success and gratification you get here can help to boost your self-esteem. In fact, research has found that more participation in extracurricular activities in school can turn the students into shining stars, build up their leadership qualities, and improve their sportsmanship.
Learn valuable life skills
Participating in extracurricular activities in school will help you learn an important skill: how to manage your time. You’ll be able to learn how to juggle your hobbies and school work. Besides, you’ll also learn other valuable life skills by indulging in extracurricular activities in school. Maybe you want to be a good leader? Start by being the basketball team captain. Or maybe you want to learn survival skills? Join the Scouts. Maybe you’re bad at dealing with people? Pursue some extracurricular activities in school to meet new people and improve your social skills. In fact, studies have shown that students who are actively involved in extracurricular activities in school have good social skills.
Explore new interests
Here’s a tip: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Sure, focusing on a specific activity can be rewarding, but what if you’ve missed out on other interesting extracurricular activities in school? It doesn’t hurt to try out new things, and it’s never too late either. The last thing you want is the Feeling Of Missing Out (FOMO). Besides, if you don’t enjoy pursuing a new interest, you can always back out. So it doesn’t really hurt to try, does it? Who knows, you might even unlock new passions you didn’t even know you had in the first place.
Children these days are too absorbed with their phones – always texting, chatting, playing games, and scrolling through their newsfeed. They rarely take the time out of their leisure hours to get out, socialize and play. Given this scenario, it shouldn’t be surprising to see that physical and mental health issues are on the rise now. Thus, to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, it’s crucial to engage them in extracurricular activities in school.
At Samriddhi School, we acknowledge the child’s unique strengths. We realize that each child has a set of interests that can foster their growth and make learning more fun. Thus, we have incorporated several extracurricular activities into our curriculum, including photography classes, scout, swimming, and such. We also encourage our students to participate in our programmes such as art exhibition, sports day, children’s day, fancy dress competition, among others. Furthermore, our STEAM education system helps us to inspire and motivate students to achieve the highest standards of intellectual development as well as personal growth.
Contact us for more information.