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As a parent, most decisions you will take will either be questioned or initiate a debate. From breastmilk to formula milk, from co-sleeping<\/a> to thumb sucking<\/a>, you will find many comments and advice you did not ask for. As a new parent, you must learn to filter the advice you get and let this stay with you forever.<\/p>\n If you are a new parent, struggling with the unsolicited advice you get, read the post, Why Advice for New Parents Need to Be Filtered<\/a>.<\/p>\n When the child grows up, the child starts preschool, and then comes the question of enrolling them in extracurricular activities. The parent in you will question if there are benefits of extracurricular activities. If you want a one-word answer, it is a YES.<\/p>\n People often support their views against extra-curricular activities as they believe that these activities are nothing but a wastage of valuable time for every child. However, various study reports have proved how significant these activities are.<\/p>\n These reports mostly focused on the benefits of extracurricular activities that, in no case, are a wastage of time. Instead, these activities inculcate some great skills and a sense of responsibility among the students. Before discussing the most significant benefits of these activities, let\u2019s find out what these extra-curricular activities are.<\/p>\n In the opinion of the educationists and academicians, extra-curricular activities are the special activities that students need to participate in for developing their personality outside of their regular classroom tasks and teachings.<\/p>\n Essentially, these are not part of the academic curriculum but quite obviously, they are an inseparable part of the overall educational scenario. These activities include music, recitation, sports, drama, creative performances, and other tasks that are effective in helping kids for developing inventiveness and imaginative or cognitive talents.<\/p>\n As a parent, I know that every decision you take is questionable. More than what the others think, you always keep the happiness and growth of your child as a priority. I remember, when Miss A turned two, I had immense pressure to send her to school. However, I did not send her till she was 2 years and 8 months old. I never regretted this decision.<\/p>\n If you wonder when should you start school, you can read the post, What is the Right Age to Start Preschool<\/a>?<\/p>\n My view was to let her travel and explore the world rather than be bound by a routine. It was more important for her to connect with me and the family and explore things at her pace. Similarly, I never did too many extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n Never have I packed her days when she is going from one class to the other. We started with one sport and one right brain education class and now she is 5.5 years old, we are still doing the same. She has a sports class daily all days of the week except weekends to ensure there is some physical activity and one day of right brain education.<\/p>\n We have now introduced two sports to her to see her aptitude and inclination. Not all children can do everything. This is our way of ensuring we give her the exposure to find what she enjoys and what she will continue.<\/p>\n Have you heard of Right Brain Education? If not, read the post on the Importance of Right Brain Activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thus, to sum up, there are many benefits of extracurricular activities but a balance is a must as well. Doing too many things can sometimes confuse the kids and you also would not know what is good for them and what are they enjoying.<\/p>\n Give them options but also give them some free time for unstructured and unplanned activities like playing in the park. These are essential and help them with life skills like communication with others, problem-solving among many others. To know more benefits, you should read the post, Why Do I Take My Baby to the Park Daily<\/a>.<\/p>\n A child has a much higher capacity to learn than we do as adults. Their brains can absorb more than we can imagine. As parents, we often hear that a child is like a sponge and this is why it is said so.<\/p>\n We cannot leave everything in the school when it comes to teaching our kids. There is much more to learn beyond academics. Each child is different and has a talent and flair for something. The problem comes in identifying this hidden talent.<\/p>\n Also, in our fast-paced lives, we cannot give enough time to kids, and also it is not feasible for us to teach them everything. This is primarily why extracurricular activities are essential.<\/p>\n Let us now discuss the benefits of extracurricular activities in detail:<\/p>\n Most educationists believe that back-to-back academic classes in school can be very strenuous for the kids, no matter what age group they are in. Involvement in extracurricular activities can give them a productive break and that can be very valuable indeed.<\/p>\n As these classes reduce boredom and break the monotony, they are rejuvenating for kids which helps them in other spheres too. Everyone deserves a break and why should kids not get it.<\/p>\n One of the most important benefits of extracurricular activities is the life skills they can teach the kids. One important life skill that must be learned today by all is time management. Valuing time is important and this must always be taught to kids.<\/p>\n Most extra-curricular activities need to finish within a certain time frame, therefore the kids get an opportunity to learn the significance of time management. They also learn how to prioritize their work at hand. Both these things can play a major role in their life in the time to come.<\/p>\n To know more ways of teaching time management skills, read the post, Teaching Your Kids Time Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is an area where normal schooling schedules can hardly contribute anything worthwhile. It is quite natural that all children may not have the same inclination towards studies and you cannot deny it. Here, participation in these extra-curricular activities can motivate them to find an area that they may succeed in.<\/p>\n Naturally, the same activity may attract him more than academics. Working extensively in this domain and excelling or doing well can bring him the esteem that he deserves. You may not hesitate to accept the importance of extracurricular activities in child development if you keep this benefit in the mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n For example, when Little Miss A does well in any of her classes, her confidence to do things she might not be good at in school also increases. She feels she is good at something so she can do better in other spheres too. Presently, she feels she is a football champion. \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n It is probably one of the most important benefits of extracurricular activities that students may get.\u00a0 Students get some kind of freshness while participating in these activities. The experts believe that this freshness helps them to concentrate more on their academic schedules.<\/p>\n As a result, they are successful in achieving a better performance in their academics. Better time management and the ability to concentrate more leads to improvement in grades. Some activities work on stamina whereas some on concentration. All of these have a great role to play in academic performance.<\/p>\n Certainly, it is one important aspect as far as the importance of extracurricular activities in child development is concerned.<\/p>\n Of course, one cannot overlook or deny this aspect of participation in co-curricular activities. Normal academic classes cannot find any hidden talent among the students, but extracurricular activities can. The child gets exposure to new activities and options through these activities.<\/p>\n Talents like singing, dancing, and community services can flourish well through these activities. This aspect of these activities adds more to the importance of extracurricular activities in child development. If you search around, then you may find hundreds of people who discovered their special talents only while participating in these activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n I remember, in summers my mom would send me for English writing classes where I learned grammar and writing skills. In no way, I am not saying, I am a great writer, but that is something that gave me the confidence to write this blog. I write this intending to help parents, but when the blog ranks in the list of Top Parenting Blogs by Feedspot<\/a>, it gives joy and a sense of achievement. <\/p>\nWhat Are Extracurricular Activities?<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMy View on Extracurricular Activities as a Parent<\/h2>\n
The Ideal Approach<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe Benefits of Extracurricular Activities<\/h2>\n
Break from Strenuous Academic Routine<\/h3>\n
Time Management<\/h3>\n
Build Self-Esteem<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBetter Performance in Academics<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFind A Hidden Talent<\/h3>\n