Do Extracurricular Activities Enhance a Child’s Development?

There are various types of extracurricular activities depending on the nature and interest of the pursuer. Children can choose from making arts and crafts, playing their favorite sports, and joining book clubs to going for community work. The choices are too many to choose from.

While back in the day, parents were not as supportive of their children indulging in extracurricular activities, however, recent findings have changed that concept completely. According to a study conducted by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), children learn a lot from such activities since they are faced with a challenge and they learn special skills to tackle it. Therefore, the famous proverb, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” has some reality hidden in it.

Extracurricular activities are extremely important for child development. When they are exposed to different activities, not only do they have a good time but they also end up learning something. These activities can develop different aspects of a child’s personality depending upon their nature. Given below are four different ways in which extracurricular activities play a crucial role in children development.

1. Social Skills Development
Most of the extracurricular activities require children to participate in an activity with a team. Such practices teach them teamwork, coordination, and idea sharing skills. Indulging in any type of sports can develop these skills as it teaches them about the ideas of healthy competition and success. Similarly, other group activities such as clubs and bands also develop a child’s social skills.

On the other hand, participating in community work not only helps a child with their social development but also makes them aware of the society’s more important issues. It can teach them about kindness, mercy, empathy, and love for others. Joining community work can help them turn into better citizens and even better human beings.

2. Controlling and Directing Emotions
Extracurricular activities also play an important role in teaching children about how to control their emotions. Children are more sensitive than teenagers and adults. Therefore, it is essential for them to know how to recognize their feelings and direct them constructively. Indulging in extracurricular activities teaches them about friendship and bonding with others.

3. Healthy Extracurricular Activities
Growing children need to build their physical strength as well. Instead of telling them to exercise, it is better to suggest fun activities that will help with their physical development. While playing sports is the most obvious way to develop physical strength, other activities such as dancing can help too.

4. Analytical Skills
Most of the extracurricular activities help in developing a child’s cognitive abilities. While book and science clubs are one way for the children to gain knowledge, solving puzzles and playing games involving logic and strategy are another way to develop their cognitive abilities.

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