The Benefits of Extracurricular Activities at School

Academics and extracurricular activities are a crucial part of school education. Together they build the students' focus, teamwork abilities, etc., and offers the holistic education the students deserve and the parents expect. Extracurricular activities are a way to demonstrate who the students are beyond their classrooms and books and also provides them with an opportunity to discover and develop their unique talent. Academics and extracurricular activities together build up the leadership skills of a child and help them learn holistically.

Extracurricular activities and virtual learning

However, with the schools being running on a virtual platform for almost a year now, due to the pandemic, with little signs of going back to the classroom anytime soon, a lot of extracurricular activities have come to a halt.

The educators have been trying to put together academics and extracurricular activities forward through the virtual platform. In fact, students need extracurricular activities even more than they did before. Due to health concerns, the children are stuck at home with a monotonous routine and minimum peer interaction. Their physical activities have also been restricted as compared to before.

For example, Edify School, one of the best CBSE schools in Bangalore that have constantly focused on experiential learning in their campus is trying to figure out the alternative ways of involving students in extracurricular activities. Consequently, they have introduced the virtual sports learning program, visual arts program etc., for the students in their upcoming session.

The initiative is to ensure the students receive a balance of the educational spectrum which is promised to them in the classroom studies. Just like Edify School, other schools and educational institutes are trying their best to include creative forms of learning which also act as a breather for students.

Importance of extracurricular activities

• Boost academic performance

A lot of extracurricular activities involve skills that can be applied in academic subjects, such as problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, time management, etc. These skills are extremely essential for students to perform well in their academics.

• Learn new skills

The fundamental purpose of the inclusion of extracurricular activities is to allow the students to learn new skills and discover their abilities, which stays even after school, in the form of hobbies or even take the shape of a career in the future.

• Improve social skills

This is one of the many best benefits which extracurricular activities have to offer to the students. There is a lot of teamwork involved in these activities allowing the students to develop their social skills, make new friends, learn how to communicate in groups, take up leadership and be confident while doing so.

• Perception of the parents

However, it is witnessed that many parents either push their children into the activities, while others think it is a waste of time. Even if we look at the current scenario there is a contrast in the opinion of the parents. Many parents have the presumptions that extracurricular activities in virtual mode will have no impact and will only consume the time from their productive learning schedule.

It is quite understandable that parents are afraid that the already altered way of learning of their child and increase in screen time, they are perceiving academics and extracurricular activities separately, while they together create a comprehensive learning curriculum. Considering these confusions schools are also leaning forward with virtual parents meet to assist the parents in understanding the curriculum, teaching process and the plans of the school in educating the children. Edify School, for example, is conducting virtual parents connect the program to help the parents clear their doubt about and give them a better understanding of the changes and inclusion starting from the admission process to the curriculum to be followed for their children in the upcoming academic session.

Finally, to sum up, whether, in the virtual or classroom, academics and extracurricular activities both go hand in hand for the overall development of a child.