Making the Most of Extracurricular Activities ... page 2
There are many reasons why parents enroll their children in extracurricular activities. For some, it's an after school childcare solution. For others, it's about learning a new skill. Playing on a sports team teaches children about cooperation and gets them exercising. And then there are those kids who are building their resumes to prepare for getting into increasingly competitive colleges. Whatever the reason, the benefits of participating in extracurricular programs are numerous according to Gail Sider, a fourth grade teacher in Pelham, New York, and Ronnie Weinberger, a former teacher in Larchmont, New York.
Broadens horizons.
Participating in extracurricular activities enriches children's life experiences. Music and art appreciation, for example, play a key role in civilized society, yet many art programs have been cut from the school curriculum. Through after school arts program you can provide opportunities for your kids to experience the arts.
Promotes physical development.
From playing video games to surfing the Web, today's society lures children towards sedentary activities like these. Playing a sport gets your child off the couch on onto the field.
Encourages team spirit and social skills.
Learning to be a team player is an essential life skill and many extracurricular activities, from singing in a choir to playing soccer, require working together as a team and relating to peers in a social way.
Teaches time management.
Extracurricular activities requires children to organize their time so that they can do their activities and succeed in school, while still finding time to eat and rest. Time management is a valuable skill that will serve children well as they go on to high school, college, and beyond.
Builds confidence.
When given opportunities to learn and excel in an activity, children build confidence, which in turn benefits them in all aspects of their life including academics, social settings, and more. Research reveals that participation in extracurricular activities, especially sports, leads to higher self-esteem and enhanced status among peers.
Provides outlet for stress.
Whether your children participate in a sport, play an instrument, or make pottery, time away from the academics of the school day can serve as a great physical and psychological outlet for stress.
Teaches commitment and decision-making.
Extracurricular activities are a perfect opportunity to teach children about making decisions and sticking to a commitment. Discuss activity options with your children, but give them the power to decide which activities to sign up for. At the end of the season, get together again to re-evaluate whether or not to continue the activity.
Extracurricular activities clearly benefit children in numerous ways, but it's also important to avoid burnout. The stress of keeping up with schoolwork, social obligations, and extracurricular activities can be detrimental to a child's mental and physical health. So be sure to schedule in some downtime and allow your child the freedom to just "be a kid." Finally, don't let your ego get in the way. If you're pushing piano lessons because your dream is for your child to be a concert pianist, but she'd rather play soccer, no one will be happy in the end. By encouraging your child to pursue activities that interest her, you are not only empowering her to make decisions, but she'll also be more likely enjoy herself and get the most she can out of the activity.
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