How extracurricular activities help in a child's development

 

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All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. We have all heard this at some point in our lives. Well, this saying does hold.

 Every parent wants the best for their child, and if you are a parent to a young one, you certainly aspire to be very aware of your child's overall development. You leave no stone unturned to inculcate qualities like social skills, physical strength, cognitive ability, team spirit, and leadership qualities in your child. These skills contribute hugely to helping a child grow into a well-groomed and socially aware adult, and we all swear by it! 

Many crucial steps are being taken across the world to rethink academic structures so that more emphasis can be laid on activities that help develop the above-mentioned life skills in children. 

 

 Broadly known as 'Extracurricular activities' or ECA, these are activities that exceed the requirements of the school's core curriculum. These pursuits are based on children's interests and can aid in learning new skills and can be anything related to visual or performing arts, sports, or even community work.

 While back in the day, parents were not very hyped about letting their kids indulge in Extracurricular, the times have changed, and parents now are quite keen to have their children participate in these activities and learn new skill sets. 

 Let's have a quick look at some positive effects that these activities can have on your child's holistic development. 

 

 Enhanced Physical Well-being

 

Physically demanding extracurricular activities aid in enhancing kids' overall physical health. Kids are inspired to exercise by physical ECA like sports and dance, which reduces their chances of developing conditions like depression, obesity, low metabolism, etc., and helps kids develop better responses and be physically stronger. Studies have shown time and again that kids who participate in physically demanding activities grow up to be healthier adults with better lifestyle choices. 

 

Develops Social Skills

 

Children learn social skills via extracurricular activities at an early age, which benefits them as adults. Basic social abilities, including leadership, coordination, and peer interactions, are developed through ECAs. Children participating in activities like sports or performing art and craft that require being part of a group or community-based clubs exhibit social skills and fine human qualities like empathy, compassion, and cultural values. 

 

 Enhanced self-esteem and Superior Mental Health

 

 Activities outside of school that your child is interested in might boost their confidence and self-esteem. It enables children to pursue their passions and develop new skills. Your youngster may feel more confident in creating and expressing their ideas thanks to their higher self-esteem and enthusiasm. 

 This, in turn, promotes better mental and psychological growth in children, as they are happier and less worried, as established by several behavioural studies. 

 Furthermore, ECAs have been shown to reduce screen time for children, a major contributor to physiological traumas in children and adults alike.

 

 Better Academic performance

 

 This one is a no-brainer, owing to all the positive effects ECAs have on children. Your children will certainly do better in school if you sign them up for extracurricular activities owing to better focus, enhanced brain function, and better mental well-being. 

 

 This does sound like a win-win proposition, doesn't it? That said, you should carefully curate activities for your child that interest them naturally. Do not make the classic mistake of overburdening the child with many activities because that'll drain the kid out. So, make the initial choices for your child with great care, patience, and above all, love.