Yvette Salvaris
Soccer, tennis, music classes the list is endless. There are so many amazing activities that children can do after school. The smiles on children’s faces when they leave school to go to an activity demonstrates why these activities are so important in your child’s development.
School can be a stressful place for some, especially as children get older and go through secondary school. A extra curricula activity can give a child something to look forward to. A sport or learning a musical instrument can give children a break from their academic studies and help them to relax and reset. The thought of doing something enjoyable helps children cope with the demands of school life.
Skill development is a huge benefit of any extra curricula activity. By attending activities children are learning about time management. This is a good skill to have as it teaches a child to be organised. An activity can also help with self-confidence and self-esteem. Especially if your child really enjoys the activity. It promotes a sense of achievement.
Social skills and communication skills are all very important in child development. These are the soft skills that are going to be always needed as your child grows into an adult. Participation in sporting activities will only enhance these skills further. Learning a musical instrument will promote concentration skills and perseverance. When children are participating in extra curricula activities they are being exposed to a different cohort of both adults and children. This opens up many opportunities such as learning about a new community group and expanding a child’s social interactions.
I am a firm believer that everyone is good at something, its just a matter of discovering what that something is. Extra curricular activities is a chance for your child to partake in different activities and find something that they excel in. When taking up a extra curricular activity, it gives a chid the chance to experiment with different interests. By doing many different activities, a child will be able to experience all the different options in a non threating environment. The best part is that if a child dislikes an activities there is no pressure to continue with it.
The aim of extra curricular activities is to provide your child with an outlet to explore, enjoy and learn. Its important that a child is not overwhelmed with too many different activities as this may take away the enjoyment. Children should still have the chance to be children. That is the opportunity to sit, relax and play. Never force a child to partake in something instead give them a choice and let them explore for themselves. You never know you may unlock your child’s hidden talent!
