Schools are often known for their achievements on the sports field or in the area of arts and culture. Some parents even place their child in a specific school because of that school’s reputation in a specific extramural activity. Do you find yourself struggling to decide if your child should participate in extracurricular activities in the first place? Considering the advantages could help with this decision.
Advantages of participating in extramural activities
- Social skills are developed through the interaction children have with team members and coaches in sport or group activities.
- Valuable life lessons are taught through extramural activities, for example, how to share, how to be a team player, how to lose and still be okay.
- They can give your child the opportunity to stay active.
- Friendships are often formed when children spend time together outside the classroom. This could benefit a shy child who is struggling to fit in and make friends at school.
- Since physical activity stimulates and develops your child’s brain, participating in sport could even boost academic performance.
- Taking part in something they enjoy and excel at could boost their self-confidence.
Are there disadvantages?
- Some parents can take participation in extramural activities too far and put unnecessary pressure on their children which affects their emotional development negatively.
- Some children take on too many extramural activities and then struggle with the balance between school work and other responsibilities.
- Due to the competitive nature of some sports, teenagers have dabbled in substance abuse to keep up with their peers.
Should extramural activities be compulsory?
Some schools have certain events on their calendar that are compulsory for their students to take part in. This could really build team spirit in the school, creating a sense of belonging and have many other benefits.
But forcing a child to participate in an activity which they don’t enjoy is never the way to go. Every child has a unique personality and their own talents, and it is best if their energy is focused on what they are naturally good at and enjoy doing. The secret lies in finding what works for your child! You might also want to read about helping your child fit in at school to build on the social skills they will learn at extramural activities.