Extracurricular activities, such as sports, music lessons and art, help children hone skills that can provide lifetime benefits. Learning to practice, to win and lose, and to be a team player are just a few positive aspects, Scholastic notes. For example, students must practice music and math problems many times before they succeed, and they can learn to complete different aspects of a group project as part of a sports team or in science lab.
Students also learn prioritization and organizational skills when they balance school work with extracurricular activities. To maintain passing grades, they must plan study time around practices, usually with organized scheduling. They also must forgo other free-time activities, such as television viewing and video gaming, which do not provide the same types of benefits.
Ideas learned from extracurricular activities can be directly elaborated upon in class. For instance, students who attend an ocean life exploration camp will already be familiar with scientific terminology for class. Students who take part in a library book club for fun also may sharpen their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills for the classroom.
With some schools cutting gym classes to focus on courses that raise test scores, exercise outside of the school day becomes more important. Students who participate in physical activities burn off excess energy and can then focus better in class.
Additionally, students make connections with their peers outside of class. Learning socialization skills is important. And children who master these skills will have positive connections to help them deal with unhealthy pressures in life.
Sometimes, because of a student's inner desire or perhaps parental persuasion, extracurricular activities and school work get out of balance. Scholastic warns parents to watch for signs of over-scheduling, such as a child who zones out in front of the television; who complains of stomachaches, headaches or mysterious illnesses; whose grades slip or who fails to complete homework. Too much pressure from extracurricular activities can lead to school struggles. Re-examine his sports or music commitments and help your child keep his academic and extracurricular life happy and balanced.